1. An abnormal duct or passage resulting from injury, disease, or a congenital disorder that connects an abscess, cavity, or hollow organ to the body surface or to another hollow organ.
2. An abnormal passage leading from an abscess or hollow organ to the body surface or from one hollow organ to another and permitting passage of fluids or secretions.

Frequently designated according to the organs or parts with which it communicates, as anovaginal, brochocutaneous, hepatopleural, pulmonoperitoneal, rectovaginal, urethrovaginal, etc. Such passages are frequently created experimentally for the purpose of obtaining body secretions for physiological study.

1. A tract leading from a hollow viscera organ to the external surface: The abdominal fistula that had to be performed on Simon was necessary as a result of an injury he had had.
2. An abnormal passage or tract leading from an abdominal organ to the external surface of the abdomen: In a colostomy, an abdominal fistula extending from the bowel to an opening on the surface of the abdomen is surgically created.

A colostomy is a medical operation in which part of the colon is removed and a hole is made in the stomach through which solid waste can leave the body.

1. The surgical joining of an artery and a vein under the skin for the purpose of hemodialysis.
2. An abnormal connection or passageway between an artery and a vein.

A fistula that ends in a cul-de-sac (blind pouch or tubular cavity closed at one end), being open at one extremity only.

An abnormal passage from the colon to the external surface of the body, for discharging feces.

Fistulas of this kind are usually created surgically in operations involving the removal of malignant or severely ulcerated bowel segments.

1. Abnormal passage communicating with the stomach.
2. A tract leading from the stomach to the abdominal wall.

A passageway between the stomach and the pericardial sac (that surrounds the heart).

A fistulous opening into the urogenital tract.

A pathologic communication between a salivary duct, or gland, and the cutaneous surface or the oral mucus.

A fistula extending from some portion of the testis or epididymis to an external opening in the skin of the scrotum.

The fistula is an abnormal passageway in the body. The fistula may go from the body surface into a blindpouch or into an internal organ or go between two internal organs caused by disease, injury, or congenital malformation.

The epididymis is a structure within the scrotum attached to the backside of the testis. The epididymis is a coiled segment of the spermatic ducts that serves to store, mature, and transport spermatozoa between the testis and the vas (the vas deferens or the tube connecting the testes with the urethra which is a coiled duct that conveys sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct and the urethra).

A congenital anomaly where the upper esophagus ends (atresia) and does not connect with the stomach and the lower esophagus connects to the trachea (tracheoesophageal fistula).

A common complication seen shortly after birth is an aspiration pneumonia. Infants will demonstrate excessive salivation, gagging, and coughing with feeding, poor feeding, and a bluish discolouration to the skin (cyanosis).

Treatment involves the surgical repair of the esophagus before the child can take anything with the mouth.

Esophageal atresia is a disorder of the digestive system in which the esophagus does not develop properly. The esophagus is the tube that normally carries food from the mouth to the stomach.

Esophageal atresia is a congenital defect, which means it occurs before birth. There are several types. In most cases, the upper esophagus ends and does not connect with the lower esophagus and stomach.

The top end of the lower esophagus connects to the windpipe. This connection is called a tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF). Some babies with tracheoesophageal (TEF) will also have other problems, such as heart or other digestive tract disorders.

Other types of esophageal atresia involve narrowing of the esophagus, and may also be associated with other birth defects.

A tube extending from the urinary bladder through the abdominal wall and opening externally onto the skin of the abdomen: The vesicoabdominal fistula is an abnormal duct or passage, caused by an injury, disease, or congenital disorder, and connects an abscess, cavity, or a hollow organ to the body surface or to another hollow organ.