To form or create a fistula; to develop or cause an abnormal opening or passage in body tissue.
From Latin fistula + -ate (verb suffix). This relatively recent medical coinage uses the classical root to describe the action of fistula formation.
When infected wounds don't heal properly, tissue can fistulate in unexpected directions—a dentist might discover a tooth infection has created an underground tunnel to the patient's cheek skin, which then needs to be traced like a medical mystery.
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