Word
fistula
Phoneticsfis·tu·la
UK/fˈɪstjʊlɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a small tunnel that should not be there between two parts inside your body, or from inside your body to the skin. It often forms after injury, infection, or surgery.
n. an abnormal passage connecting two body cavities or organs, or a cavity to the skin surface, typically resulting from injury, infection, inflammation, or surgery.
Examples
“The doctor treats the small fistula near his gum.”
“After the surgery, she develops a fistula between her intestine and skin that needs special care.”
“The surgeon described the chronic fistula as a narrow, persistent tract that resisted healing despite repeated drainage and antibiotics.”
Examples
simple
“The doctor treats the small fistula near his gum.”
contextual
“After the surgery, she develops a fistula between her intestine and skin that needs special care.”
complex
“The surgeon described the chronic fistula as a narrow, persistent tract that resisted healing despite repeated drainage and antibiotics.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “fistula” in context.
Verb
01. close fistula
“The new adhesive technique helped close the fistula without major surgery.”
verb + noun
02. create fistula
“Vascular surgeons create a fistula in the arm for long-term dialysis access.”
verb + noun
03. develop fistula
“She developed a fistula months after radiation therapy for pelvic cancer.”
verb + noun
04. diagnose fistula
“MRI is often used to diagnose a fistula and map its branches.”
verb + noun
05. excise fistula
“The colorectal team decided to excise the fistula and preserve sphincter function.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. anal fistula
“The surgeon diagnosed an anal fistula and referred him for specialist surgery.”
adj + noun
07. arteriovenous fistula
“Dialysis requires a mature arteriovenous fistula with strong blood flow.”
adj + noun
08. complex fistula
“A complex fistula with multiple tracts usually needs staged surgical treatment.”
adj + noun
09. enterocutaneous fistula
“An enterocutaneous fistula often follows abdominal surgery and needs nutritional support.”
adj + noun
10. close a complex fistula
“A flap procedure is often needed to close a complex fistula.”
11. create an arteriovenous fistula
“Surgeons create an arteriovenous fistula months before dialysis begins.”
12. develop an obstetric fistula
“Without emergency caesarean care, she developed an obstetric fistula.”
Real-World Examples
“The clips also showed a fistula - a hole into the rest of the body - at the end of the trachea.” Etymology
Learned borrowing from Latin fistula (“pipe, ulcer, catheter”). Doublet of fester.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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