branchial fistula

fistula /fis·tu·la/ (fis´tu-lah) pl. fistulas, fis´tulae   [L.] an abnormal passage between two internal organs or from an internal organ to the body surface.

Various types of fistulae, designated according to site or to the organs with which they communicate. (A), Genitourinary fistulae; (B), anal fistulae.

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anal fistula  one from the anus to the skin, sometimes communicating with the rectum.

arteriovenous fistula 

1. one between an artery and a vein.

2. a surgically created arteriovenous connection that provides a site of access for hemodialysis tubing.

blind fistula  one open at one end only, opening on the skin (external blind f.) or on an internal mucous surface (internal blind f.) .

branchial fistula  a persistent pharyngeal groove (branchial cleft).

cerebrospinal fluid fistula  one between the subarachnoid space and a body cavity, with leakage of cerebrospinal fluid, usually as otorrhea or rhinorrhea.

colonic fistula  one connecting the colon with the body surface or another organ.

craniosinus fistula  one between the cerebral space and one of the sinuses, permitting escape of cerebrospinal fluid into the nose.

enterovesical fistula  one connecting the urinary bladder with some part of the intestines.

fecal fistula  a colonic fistula that discharges feces on the body surface.

gastric fistula  one communicating with the stomach, either pathologically or surgically created through the abdominal wall.

genitourinary fistula  one between two organs of the urogenital system or between one of those organs and some other system.

incomplete fistula  blind f.

intestinal fistula  one communicating with the intestine; sometimes surgically created through the abdominal wall.

perilymph fistula  rupture of the round window with leakage of perilymph into the middle ear, causing sensorineural hearing loss.

pulmonary arteriovenous fistula  a congenital fistula between the pulmonary arterial and venous systems, so that unoxygenated blood enters the systemic circulation.

salivary fistula  one communicating with a salivary duct.

tracheoesophageal fistula  one connecting the trachea and esophagus, either pathologically or created surgically to restore speech after laryngectomy.

umbilical fistula  one communicating with the colon or the urachus at the umbilicus.

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branchial fistula,

a congenital abnormal passage from the pharynx to the external surface of the neck, resulting from the failure of a branchial cleft to close during fetal development. Also called cervical fistula.

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fistula (fis´tyool),

n an abnormal tract connecting two body surfaces or organs or leading from a pathologic or natural internal cavity to the surface. The tract may be lined with epithelium.

Fistula.

fistula, alveolar,

n See parulis.

fistula, arteriovenous,

n See shunt, arteriovenous.

fistula, branchial,

n a fistula associated with a branchial cyst; usually seen on the lateral surface of the neck.

fistula, dental,

n See parulis.

fistula, of lip,

n a congenital malformation in which there is a deep pit or fistula on the mucosa of the lip; often bilateral and usually found on the lower lip.

fistula, oroantral,

n an opening between the maxillary sinus and the oral cavity, most often through a tooth socket. See also fistula.

fistula, orofacial,

n an opening between the cutaneous surface of the face and the oral cavity.

fistula, oronasal,

n an opening between the nasal cavity and the oral cavity.

fistula, salivary,

n an opening between a salivary duct and/or gland and the cutaneous surface or into the oral cavity through other than the normal anatomic pathway.

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fistula

pl. fistulae, fistulas; any abnormal, tubelike passage within body tissue, usually between two internal organs, or leading from an internal organ to the body surface. Some fistulae are created surgically, for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes; others occur as a result of injury or as congenital abnormalities. See also arteriovenous fistula.

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blind fistula

one open at one end only, opening on the skin (external blind fistula) or on an internal surface (internal blind fistula).

branchial fistula

a persisting branchial cleft.

complete fistula

one extending from the skin to an internal body cavity.

craniosinus fistula

one between the cerebral space and one of the sinuses, permitting escape of cerebrospinal fluid into the nose.

crop fistula

the crop communicates with the skin on the neck of the bird.

enterocutaneous fistula

one in which there is communication between the intestinal tract and the skin. Some fistulae are created surgically, with gastrostomy, esophagostomy or colostomy. Others may result from surgical trauma, breakdown of an intestinal anastomosis, or erosions around a surgical drain or tube.

esophageal fistula

communication between the esophagus and some portion of the respiratory tract, e.g. trachea, bronchi or pulmonary tissue. May be congenital or acquired as a result of trauma or inflammatory lesions, particularly esophageal foreign bodies.

Esophageal fistula. By permission from Knottenbelt DC, Pascoe RR, Diseases and Disorders of the Horse, Saunders, 2003

fecal fistula

a colonic fistula opening on the external surface of the body and discharging feces.

foreign body fistula

remnant of a foreign body impalation or a grass seed are the common causes. Fistula drains continuously.

gastric fistula

an abnormal passage communicating with the stomach; often applied to an artificially created opening, through the abdominal wall, into the stomach.

horseshoe fistula

a semicircular fistulous tract about the anus, with both openings on the skin.

incomplete fistula

blind fistula.

lateral cervical fistula

see branchial cyst.

oroantral fistula

between the oral cavity and a sinus. In dogs, usually involves the maxillary sinus and is caused by periodontal disease of the fourth premolars and first molars.

oronasal fistula

between the nasal and oral cavities. Occurs most commonly in dogs with advanced periodontal disease of the maxillary canine tooth, but can result from disease of canines and premolars. It may also occur after tooth extraction, particularly in dogs, leading to the passage of food into the nasal cavity and a secondary chronic rhinitis and nasal discharge.

ruminal fistula

created surgically in left upper flank. May occur accidentally due to persistence of trocar puncture for treatment of bloat.

salivary fistula

usually discharges saliva on to the side of the face but may discharge into the mouth. Usually due to laceration of the duct by trauma.

umbilical fistula

an abnormal passage communicating with the gut or the urachus at the umbilicus.

urachal fistula

persistence of the urachal canal with communication between the urinary bladder and umbilicus. See also persistent urachus.