ulcer Definition
ul·cer (ul′sər)
noun
- an open sore (other than a wound) on the skin or some mucous membrane, as the lining of the stomach (peptic ulcer), characterized by the disintegration of the tissue and, often, the discharge of pus
- any corrupting or festering condition or influence
Etymology: L ulcus (gen. ulceris) < IE *elkos-, abscess > Sans árśas-, hemorrhoids, Gr helkos, abscess, wound
ulcer Synonyms
ulcer
n.
ulcer Usage Examples
Converse of object
- heal: The time to heal the ulcers was then measured.
- bleed: A slowly bleeding ulcer can also cause anemia, where there are not enough red blood cells to transport oxygen around the body.
- aggravate: Vitamin C as ascorbic acid may aggravate stomach ulcers if used in high levels.
Adjective modifier
- peptic: About peptic ulcers An ulcer in the stomach is called a gastric or stomach ulcer.
- duodenal: In most cases of duodenal ulcer or benign gastric ulcer healing occurs within 4 weeks.
- venous: Four patients, out of eleven with venous disease, also had venous leg ulcers at the start of treatment.
- gastric: He also believed to have suffered from a gastric ulcer.
- perforated: Routine use of laparoscopic repair for perforated peptic ulcer.
- diabetic: Clinical data exists that looked at rates of wound healing in diabetic foot ulcers during a 12-week period.
Modifies a noun
- recurrence: It was concluded that surgical correction of superficial venous reflux reduces 12-month ulcer recurrence.
- healing: Objective evidence of ulcer healing from taking vitamin A has been reported by the same research group.
- perforation: It role following surgery for ulcer perforation is unclear.
- prophylaxis: No information about how patients treated ( eg positioning, use of stress ulcer prophylaxis, etc ).
- clinic: Patients attending leg ulcer clinics may therefore appear to be younger than would generally be expected to have a leg ulcer.
Noun used with modifier
- leg: Leg ulcer care is more likely to be provided by district nurses than practice nurses.
- stomach: About peptic ulcers An ulcer in the stomach is called a gastric or stomach ulcer.
- mouth: Mouth ulcers Mouth ulcers are small sores in the moist tissues inside the mouth.
- decubitus: The patient's heel is lifted free of the bed, eliminating the risk of skin necrosis which may lead to decubitus ulcers.
- rodent: For example, would someone with a rodent ulcer, which can be treated successfully, be deemed to be disabled?
- pressure: Causes Pressure ulcers tend to develop on areas of the body that have little body fat to cover them.

