An ulcer is a discontinuity or break in a bodily membrane that impedes normal function of the affected organ. According to Robbinss pathology, "ulcer is the breach of the continuity of skin, epithelium or mucous membrane caused by sloughing out of inflamed necrotic tissue." Common forms of ulcers recognized in medicine include:
Ulcer (dermatology), a discontinuity of the skin or a break in the skin. Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores
Genital ulcer, an ulcer located on the genital area
Ulcerative dermatitis, a skin disorder associated with bacterial growth often initiated by self-trauma
Anal fissure, a.k.a. an ulcer or tear near the anus or within the rectum
Diabetic foot ulcer, a major complication of the diabetic foot
Corneal ulcer, an inflammatory or infective condition of the cornea
Mouth ulcer, an open sore inside the mouth. Aphthous ulcer, a specific type of oral ulcer also known as a canker sore
Peptic ulcer, a discontinuity of the gastrointestinal mucosa (stomach ulcer)
Venous ulcer, a wound thought to occur due to improper functioning of valves in the veins
Stress ulcer, an ulcer located  within the stomach and proximal duodenum
Ulcerative sarcoidosis, a cutaneous condition affecting people with sarcoidosis
Ulcerative lichen planus, a rare variant of lichen planus
Ulcerative colitis, a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Ulcerative disposition, a disorder or discomfort that causes severe abdominal distress, often associated with chronic gastritis

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Hormonal – related to the increasing amounts of estrogen and progesterone and their effect on the LES
Mechanical – the enlarging uterus increasing intra-abdominal pressure, inducing reflux of gastric acid
Behavioral – as with other instances of heartburn, behavioral modifications can exacerbate or alleviate symptoms

Unknown origin
Functional heartburn is heartburn of unknown cause. It is commonly associated with psychiatric conditions like depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. It is also seen with other functional gastrointestinal disorders like irritable bowel syndrome and is the primary cause of lack of improvement post treatment with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Despite this, PPIs are still the primary treatment with response rates in about 50% of people. The diagnosis is one of elimination, based upon the Rome III criteria. It was found to be present in 22.3% of Canadians in one survey. Diagnostic approach
Heartburn can be caused by several conditions and a preliminary diagnosis of GERD is based on additional signs and symptoms. The chest pain caused by GERD has a distinct burning sensation, occurs after eating or at night, and worsens when a person lies down or bends over. It also is common in pregnant women, and may be triggered by consuming food in large quantities, or specific foods containing certain spices, high fat content, or high acid content. In young persons (typically <40 years) who present with heartburn symptoms consistent with GERD (onset after eating, when laying down, when pregnant), a physician may begin a course of PPIs to assess clinical improvement before additional testing is undergone.