Fis"tu*la (?; 135), n.; pl. Fistulae (#). [L.]
1.
A reed; a pipe.
2.
A pipe for conveying water.
[Obs.]
Knight.
3. Med.
A permanent abnormal opening into the soft parts with a constant discharge; a deep, narrow, chronic abscess; an abnormal opening between an internal cavity and another cavity or the surface; as, a salivary fistula; an anal fistula; a recto-vaginal fistula.
Incomplete fistula Med., a fistula open at one end only.
© Webster 1913.