fistula
UK[ˈfɪstjʊlə]US[ˈfɪstʃələ]
n
an abnormal or surgically made passage between a hollow organ and the body surface, or between two hollow organs.
n
a pipe or tube, especially one used in ancient times as a water conduit.
Morpheme Breakdown
fistul
a
fistul
pipe
a
noun suffix
Etymology
the word fistula entered english in the late 14th century, directly from latin fistula, which meant "pipe, tube, ulcer." the latin term is believed to be derived from a proto-indo-european root meaning "to blow," which also gave rise to words for wind instruments. this etymological journey from a general term for a tube or pipe to its specific medical meaning is logical: an abnormal passage in the body physically resembles a narrow, tubular conduit. the medical sense, referring to an ulcer forming a pipe-like passage, was already present in classical latin, demonstrating how the concrete object informed the anatomical description.
Analysis
Structure: fistul (pipe) + a (noun suffix)
fistul (from latin fistula, meaning pipe, tube, ulcer); a (latin noun-forming suffix).
Examples
the patient developed an enterocutaneous fistula following the surgery.
in roman engineering, a fistula was often a lead pipe used in plumbing.
an anal fistula can cause considerable discomfort and requires medical treatment.