What is the origin of the term, ulcer?
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WHAT IS AN ULCER?
An ulcer is an open sore on the skin or on a mucous membrane. A mucous membrane is one of four major types of thin sheets of tissue that line or cover various parts of the body, such as the mouth and passages for breathing.
WHAT CAUSES ULCERS?
Ulcers are caused by destruction of tissue on the surface of the skin or mucous membranes.
WHAT ARE SOME OTHER CHARACTERISTICS OF ULCERS?
The destruction of tissue that leads to an ulcer accompanies certain infections, inflammatory conditions, or cancers. Clear boundaries mark where an ulcer begins and ends. An ulcer can be deep or shallow (not deep). Shallow ulcers only involve the outer layer or layers of the skin. An ulcer is generally shaped like a crater and is usually inflamed and painful. Pus, which is a yellow or green creamy substance that is sometimes found at the site of infections, often forms in an ulcer.
WHERE DO ULCERS USUALLY OCCUR?
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Ulcers of the skin are most common in the leg. Leg ulcers are usually caused by poor blood supply to the leg or poor drainage of blood from the leg. A more rare form of skin ulcers are those that develop in a type of skin cancer known as basal cell carcinoma.
Ulcers that develop on mucous membranes are most common in the digestive tract. Ulcers can occur in the mouth and are known as canker sores. Most mouth sores heal well without scarring. Ulcers can also occur in the stomach, and the intestine.The intestine is a tube-shaped structure that is part of the digestive tract. It stretches from an opening in the stomach to the anus (rear end) and occupies most of the lower parts of the belly. Sores in the mouth are common, painful, and usually brought on by stress.
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Ulcers can also develop in other places, such as on the cornea. The cornea is the clear covering at the front of the eyeball. The skin or mucous membranes of the genitals (private parts) can also be affected by ulcers and are usually caused by sexually transmitted diseases. Ulcers of the genitals are called chancres (pronounced cankers).
WHAT ELSE IS AN ULCER KNOWN AS?
An ulcer is also known as an ulcus. More than one ulcer is known as ulcera.
WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF THE WORD, ULCER?
Ulcer comes from the Latin word "ulcus" meaning "sore."
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