Medical Illustrations

A peptic ulcer is a lesion in the tissue of the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach, duodenum). If it is located in the stomach, it's called a gastric ulcer. A lesion in the esophagus is an esophageal ulcer. If the condition is in the duodenum it is a duodenal ulcer. Peptic ulcers result when the acidic contents secreted by the stomach erode a hole in the lining of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum.

Peptic ulcers are extremely common and affect millions of American annually. Americans spend billions of dollars per year to treat ulcers and complications from ulcers. New findings about the cause of ulcers have led to new and improved treatment options for this common condition.