Ulcerated

Squamous Cell Carcinoma - Equine Stomach

Horses are one of the few species that has squamous cells in the stomach, so this type of cancer is somewhat unique.

Technically, ulcerated refers to a "local defect or excavation of the epithelium of an organ or tissue through the basement membrane." What does that mean? It means that an ulceration is a deep lesion through several layers of tissue.

Ulcerated is subtly different from eroded, in that an ulceration is a lesion through the basement membrane and the the underlying dermis whereas an erosion is restricted to the superficial epidermis. Got it? In a nutshell, an ulceration goes deeper than an erosion.

Click on the image to view a truly revolting, magnified version of this lesion (111 K).