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Basic Terminology. Ulcers
Basic Terminology. Ulcers
Basic terminology
Ulcer
• Local defect of the surface of
an organ or tissue produced
by detachment of
inflammatory necrotic tissue
Kumar V, Abbas AK, Fausto N. Chapter 2. Acute and Chronic Inflammation. In: Robbins and Source: CNX OpenStax [CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)]
Coltran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 7th ed. ElSevier: Madrid, Spain, 2005. pp 77-78
Phases of an ulcer
1. Prodromal stage
Local inflammation occurs. There might be pain, discomfort,
redness or even the formation of a vesicle.
2. Pre-ulcerative stage
Local necrosis in the area occurs. Surrounding the necrotic area
is an area of inflammation.
3. Ulcerative stage
Ulcer is formed. The area of the ulcer is filled by blood and
necrotic tissue and may be colonized by microbia. Surrounding the
ulcer you will find inflammatory cells in charge of the healing of the
ulcer. On the surface, a fibrin membrane is formed protecting the
area of the ulcer.
4. Healing stage
Healthy tissue is forming in the area, the fibrin membrane
detaches. Initially, there is an area of scar that soon disappears.
5. Remission stage
Dr. Paola Mora, Costa Rica; Dr. Maria Luisa Gainza, Malta
Deep ulcer
In a deep ulcer, more surfaces of the
connective tissue are involved.