Abstract
Peptic ulcers are defects or breaks in the inner lining of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Although the pathogenesis is multifactorial they tend to arise when there is an imbalance between protective and aggressive factors, such as when GI mucosal defense mechanisms are impaired in the presence of gastric acid and pepsin. Peptic ulcers extend through the mucosa and the muscularis mucosae, a thin layer of smooth muscle separating the mucosa from the deeper submucosa, muscularis propria, and serosa. Peptic ulcer disease affects up to 10% of men and 4% of women in Western countries at some time in their lives. This chapter contains 6 Tables, 5 Figures and 50 references.
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