What does fistulae mean?
Fistulae is the plural of fistula, a term from medicine denoting an abnormal passage that forms between two organs, blood vessels, or body cavities that are not normally connected, or a channel that runs from an internal organ to the skin's surface. Such passages can arise through injury, infection, inflammation — notably in conditions like Crohn's disease — or complications of surgery, though some fistulae are deliberately created by surgeons, such as arteriovenous fistulae used for dialysis access. Because these channels bypass the body's normal anatomy, they can leak fluids and cause infection, making them a significant focus of surgical repair. The word comes from the Latin fistula, meaning a pipe or tube, an image that captures its essential nature precisely. Clinicians favor the classical plural 'fistulae', especially in British usage, although the anglicized 'fistulas' is equally correct and increasingly common.
nounFistulae is the plural of fistula: an abnormal or surgically created passage connecting two organs, vessels, or body cavities that are not normally connected, or an unnatural channel leading from an internal organ to the surface of the body.
- (plural only) Multiple abnormal or surgically created passages connecting organs or cavities of the body, or channels from an internal organ to the body surface.
"The surgeon repaired the fistulae that had formed between the patient's intestine and bladder."
"MRI revealed several fistulae running between loops of inflamed bowel."
"Dialysis patients often rely on surgically created arteriovenous fistulae to provide reliable vascular access."
'Fistulae' preserves the Latin-style plural and is favored in British medical literature; 'fistulas' is the regularized English plural, commoner in American usage. Both refer to more than one fistula.
"Chronic inflammation had produced several fistulae along the intestinal wall."
In ancient Rome a 'fistula' was simply a pipe or reed — even a drinking straw — which is why doctors still use this everyday Latin word for the body growing a pipe where none should be.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of fistulae
The word derives directly from Latin fistula, meaning a pipe, tube, or reed — including simple items like a shepherd's pipe or a drinking straw. It entered English medical usage in the early modern period, when anatomical terminology drew heavily on Latin. The plural 'fistulae' retains the Latin first-declension ending, alongside its anglicized alternative 'fistulas'. Related derivatives such as 'fistulous' share the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How fistulae is actually used
Strictly the plural of 'fistula'; the singular is used for one passage. In British medical writing 'fistulae' is preferred over the anglicized 'fistulas'. The word carries a clinical register and appears almost exclusively in medicine and surgery.
Easily confused with fistulae
Both are valid plurals of fistula; 'fistulae' follows the classical Latin-style plural while 'fistulas' is the anglicized form more common in American medical writing.