fistula

noun

fis·tu·la ˈfis-chə-lə

ˈfish-

plural fistulas or fistulae ˈfis-chə-ˌlē

-ˌlī,

ˈfish-

: an abnormal passage that leads from an abscess or hollow organ or part to the body surface or from one hollow organ or part to another and that may be surgically created to permit passage of fluids or secretions

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Use of a central venous catheter for hemodialysis conferred a six-times-higher risk for S. aureus bloodstream infection compared to use of a port in the arm known as a fistula, the researchers found. —

Fox News, 7 Feb. 2023 Impaction and perforation of the upper aerodigestive tract can lead to significant and potentially fatal complications including parapharyngeal/retropharyngeal abscess, mediastinitis, and aortoesophageal fistula. —

Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 16 Sep. 2015 Ideally, as kidney function deteriorates and patients get closer to needing dialysis, doctors recommend a surgical procedure to create the fistula, with an artery connected to a vein. —

Fox News, 7 Feb. 2023 One common fistula is from the bowel to the skin. —

Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 30 May 2022 This is known as a fistula, per the Mayo Clinic. —

SELF, 11 Feb. 2022 No patient showed urethral fistula, voiding deterioration, penile nodule/curve or pain. —

Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 12 Feb. 2016 Without the fistula, dialysis must be administered via a catheter in a large central vein in the neck, which is associated with higher rates of complications, including infections, and should only be used temporarily. —

Fox News, 7 Feb. 2023 Food was leaking through the fistula into the larger stomach, then passing through her entire small intestine. —

Douglas G Adler, Discover Magazine, 26 Apr. 2018 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fistula.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.