What is "fistulae"

Fistula \Fis"tu*la\ (?; 135), n.; pl. Fistul[ae]. [L.]

1. A reed; a pipe.

2. A pipe for convejing water. [Obs.]
   --Knight.

3. (Med.) A permanent abnormal opening into the soft parts with a constant discharge; a deep, narrow, chronic abscess; an abnormal opening between an internal cavity and another cavity or the surface; as, a salivary fistula; an anal fistula; a recto-vaginal fistula.

   Incomplete fistula (Med.), a fistula open at one end only.

n. (en-irregular plural of: fistula)

n. (context obsolete English) (en-irregular plural of: fistula)

1. n. a chronic inflammation of the withers of a horse [syn: fistulous withers]

2. an abnormal passage leading from a suppurating cavity to the body surface [syn: sinus]

3. [also: fistulae (pl)]

See fistula