Fistula
/ˈfɪs.tjə.lə/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·College level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An abnormal connection or passageway between organs or vessels that normally do not connect.
"communicating fistula"
- 2 an abnormal passage leading from a suppurating cavity to the body surface wordnet
- 3 A tube, a pipe, or a hole. rare
- 4 a chronic inflammation of the withers of a horse wordnet
- 5 The tube through which the wine of the Eucharist was once sucked from the chalice in certain ceremonies (such as papal Masses). historical
Example
More examples"Obstetric fistula is a hole between the vagina and rectum or bladder that is caused by prolonged obstructed labor, leaving a woman incontinent; unable to control the flow of her urine or her feces."
Etymology
Learned borrowing from Latin fistula (“pipe, ulcer, catheter”). Doublet of fester.