fistula

[ fis-choo-luh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural fis·tu·las, fis·tu·lae [fis, -ch, oo, -lee].

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 fistulous withers, characterized by the formation of passages or sinuses through the tissues and to the surface of the skin.
Obsolete. a pipe, as a flute.

fistula

/ ˈfɪstjʊlə /

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

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Origin of fistula¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin: “pipe, tube,” of uncertain origin

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Origin of fistula¹

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

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She became pregnant and suffered from an obstructed labor, which resulted in the death of her baby and an obstetric fistula.

From Time

The sick sister was healed after relics from John XXIII were placed on the fistula on her abdomen.

About 5,000 girls and women in South Sudan suffer from fistula each year.

In chapter 17 the author refers to an ancient method regarding cautery of the fistula in the inner corner of the eye.

He had the fistula—lived on slops and couldn't sit his horse for a day's huntin'.

Fistula fos sonus & stolon quod est emissio, quasi emissio soni vel vocis.

These should be treated by drainage, using a wide rubber drain; the convalescence will be tedious, but the fistula will close.

It is useful to remember that if the rubber tube be too long it may enter the hole in the bowel and thus maintain the fistula.

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