A venous ulcer is an open sore on the lower legs or feet caused by poor venous blood flow, while an arterial ulcer is an open wound on the lower legs or feet caused by poor arterial blood flow. The essential difference is the type of blood vessel problem: veins versus arteries.

According to the text, arterial ulcers and venous ulcers are both types of vascular ulcers located on the lower legs or feet. An arterial ulcer results from decreased arterial blood flow, meaning oxygen-rich blood is not reaching the tissues adequately. A venous ulcer, also called a stasis ulcer, results from poor venous blood flow, meaning blood has difficulty returning from the legs toward the heart. The distinction is based on which part of the circulatory system is impaired.

Key points

Arterial ulcer: open wound on lower legs or feet caused by poor arterial blood flow.
Venous ulcer: open sore on lower legs or feet caused by poor venous blood flow; also called stasis ulcer.
Both are vascular ulcers, but the difference is whether the blood flow problem is in the arteries or veins.

What is the difference between a venous ulcer and an arterial ulcer?