fistula

fis·tu·la | \ ˈfis-chə-lə

How to pronounce fistula (audio)

, ˈfish- \

plural fistulas or fistulae\ ˈfis-chə-ˌlē

How to pronounce fistula (audio)

, -ˌlī , ˈfish- \

Definition of fistula

: 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

Examples of fistula in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The company's Ellipsys Vascular Access System is an endovascular approach to create arteriovenous (AV) fistula for patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing dialysis. — Patrick Kennedy, Star Tribune, "Medtronic to acquire medical device company that treats end-stage renal disease," 2 Oct. 2020 In the procedure using the Ellipsys Vascular System, a catheter is inserted into a patients arm and guided by ultrasound to join a vein and artery into an AV fistula. — Patrick Kennedy, Star Tribune, "Medtronic to acquire medical device company that treats end-stage renal disease," 2 Oct. 2020 His crowning medical achievements include perfecting the method for repairing vesicovaginal fistula. — Sarah Lynch, USA TODAY, "Fact check: Father of modern gynecology performed experiments on enslaved Black women," 17 Apr. 2018 In 2018, the World Health Organization estimated that more than two million young women lived with untreated obstetric fistula in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. — Abdi Latif Dahir, New York Times, "Catherine Hamlin, 96, Dies; Pioneering Doctor Treated Childbirth Injury," 19 Mar. 2020 Do No Harm opens a few months before Sims finally found a cure for vesicovaginal fistula after performing 30 operations on Anarcha. — Manuel Mendoza, Dallas News, "Seeking humanity in horror: Dallas playwright explores slave women’s perspective on cruel experiments," 13 Mar. 2020 The court of the Sun King already followed his lead on certain fashions — things like wigs and breeches — but the most bizarre act of imitation involved a medical ailment called a fistula that afflicted the monarch. — John Kelly, Washington Post, "Imitation: Sometimes it’s the strangest form of flattery," 12 Feb. 2020 For instance, Cassia fistula or the Indian laburnum, a native tree that paints many cities yellow at the onset of summer, is pollinated by several species of carpenter bees. — Kartik Chandramouli, Quartz India, "As bees feel the sting of climate change, here’s a way to let them keep buzzing," 2 Mar. 2020 After 10 days, the fistula failed, and the couple spent the next two months training to do PD. — Hannah Kirby, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "A Pewaukee man will start the new year with a new kidney after his wife spent over a year searching for a donor," 31 Dec. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fistula.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about fistula

Dictionary Entries near fistula

fistula of the withers

Statistics for fistula

Cite this Entry

“Fistula.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fistula. Accessed 15 Jan. 2021.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for fistula

fistula

fis·tu·la | \ ˈfis(h)-chə-lə, British also ˈfis-tyu̇-lə \

plural fistulas or fistulae\ -lē also -lī \

Medical Definition of fistula

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : 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 a congenital tracheoesophageal fistula an arteriovenous fistula was reconstructed in the right arm for dialysis— Pasteur Rasuli et al.

2 : fistulous withers

fistula

Medical Definition of fistula (Entry 2 of 2)

— see cassia fistula

WORD OF THE DAY

vulcanize

Listen to the pronunciation of vulcanize

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words of Snow and Ice Quiz

Which of the following refers to thin, bending ice, or to the act of running over such ice?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

Anagram puzzles meet word search.