Plural of fistula; abnormal holes or passages that form in the body, usually between two organs or from an organ to the skin surface, often caused by infection or surgery.
From Latin fistula meaning 'pipe' or 'tube,' originally describing the holes that form in bone tissue. The Romans noticed these tube-like abnormalities resembled plumbing pipes.
Fistulas can actually be surgically created on purpose—kidney dialysis fistulas are created between an artery and vein to allow better blood flow during treatment, turning a medical problem into a medical solution.
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