Definition of: fistula

(fis′ch·lə) noun plural ·las or ·lae (-lē)
1. Pathol. Any abnormal opening or duct leading into a natural canal, hollow organ, or other part of the body.
2. A deep–seated suppurative inflammation, as in the withers of horses, ordinarily resulting from a bruise.
3. Obs. A reed or pipe.
—gastric fistula An opening into the stomach through the abdominal wall, usually of traumatic origin. [<L, a pipe]
—fis′tu·lar adjective