fistula

[ fis-choo-luh ]
/ ˈfɪs tʃʊ lə /

noun, plural fis·tu·las, fis·tu·lae [fis-choo-lee] /ˈfɪs tʃʊˌli/.

Pathology. a narrow passage or duct formed by disease or injury, as one leading from an abscess to a free surface, or from one cavity to another.
Surgery. an opening made into a hollow organ, as the bladder or eyeball, for drainage.
Veterinary Pathology. any of various suppurative inflammations, as in the withers of a horse (fistulous withers), characterized by the formation of passages or sinuses through the tissues and to the surface of the skin.
Obsolete. a pipe, as a flute.

Origin of fistula

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin: pipe, tube, fistula

Example sentences from the Web for fistula

British Dictionary definitions for fistula

fistula
/ (ˈfɪstjʊlə) /

noun plural -las or -lae (-ˌliː)

pathol an abnormal opening between one hollow organ and another or between a hollow organ and the surface of the skin, caused by ulceration, congenital malformation, etc
obsolete any musical wind instrument; a pipe

Word Origin for fistula

C14: from Latin: pipe, tube, hollow reed, ulcer

Medical definitions for fistula

fistula
[ fĭschə-lə ]

n. pl. fis•tu•las

An abnormal passage from a hollow organ to the body surface, or from one organ to another.