What does "fistula" mean?

Fistula: A pipe for convejing water. [Obs.] Knight.

Additional senses

  1. 2.(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.

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