colonic 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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colonic fistula

Etymology: Gk, kolon + L, pipe

an abnormal passage from the colon to the surface of the body or an internal organ or structure. In regional enteritis chronic inflammation may lead to the formation of a fistula between two adjacent loops of bowel. An external opening from the colon to the surface of the abdomen may be created surgically after the removal of a malignant or severely ulcerated segment of the bowel. See also colostomy.