Ulcer

An ulcer (from Latin ulcus) is an open sore of the skin, eyes or mucous membrane, often caused, but not exclusively, by an initial abrasion and generally maintained by an inflammation, an infection, and/or medical conditions which impede healing. In other words, it is a macroscopic discontinuity of the normal epithelium (microscopic discontinuity of epithelium is called erosion). Other causes of skin ulcerations include pressure from various sources and venous insufficiency.