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úlcera means ulcer — a common term in Medical Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: December 29, 2025

🩺 Medical Spanish

úlcera

noun • /[OOL-se-ra]/

ulcer

Example:

Tiene una úlcera en el estómago.

He has an ulcer in his stomach.

🧠 What does úlcera mean?

An 'úlcera' is a sore or lesion that develops on the surface of the skin or a mucous membrane, resulting from a break in the tissue that fails to heal. It can be internal, such as a stomach ulcer ('úlcera gástrica'), or external, like a skin ulcer.

📚 Extra examples

  • El estrés crónico puede agravar una úlcera de estómago.
    Chronic stress can worsen a stomach ulcer.
  • Le diagnosticaron una úlcera péptica después de la endoscopia.
    He was diagnosed with a peptic ulcer after the endoscopy.
  • El paciente diabético tiene una úlcera en el pie que no cicatriza bien.
    The diabetic patient has an ulcer on his foot that is not healing well.

💡 Did You Know?

While often associated with stress, a significant number of peptic ulcers ('úlceras pépticas') are actually caused by a bacterial infection from Helicobacter pylori. This discovery changed the primary approach to treatment for many patients.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "úlcera"

Synonyms: llaga, lesión, herida abierta
Opposites: tejido sano, cicatrización

🔍 See more medical spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'ulcer' in Spanish?
The Spanish word for 'ulcer' is 'úlcera'.
How do you pronounce 'úlcera' in Spanish?
The word 'úlcera' is pronounced 'OOL-seh-rah'. The accent mark on the 'ú' indicates that the stress falls on the first syllable.
How do you use 'úlcera' in a sentence?
You can use 'úlcera' to refer to a medical condition. For example: 'El médico le recetó un tratamiento para su úlcera gástrica.' (The doctor prescribed a treatment for his gastric ulcer.)
What is the English translation of 'úlcera'?
The English translation of 'úlcera' is 'ulcer'.
Does 'úlcera' change for gender or number?
'Úlcera' is a feminine noun. Its plural form is 'úlceras'. For example: 'Tenía varias úlceras en la boca.' (He had several ulcers in his mouth.)
Is 'úlcera' common in everyday Spanish?
'Úlcera' is common in medical contexts or when discussing health issues. It is not typically used in casual, everyday conversation unless someone is specifically talking about this condition.
Does 'úlcera' have slang or double meanings?
No, 'úlcera' does not have any common slang or alternative meanings. It is used almost exclusively in its literal, medical sense.
Is 'úlcera' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The word 'úlcera' and its medical meaning are consistent across Spain and Latin America. There are no significant regional variations in its use.

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