# fistula

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈfɪs.tjə.lə/ · frequency rank #47,059

## Definitions
1. An abnormal connection or passageway between organs or vessels that normally do not connect.
2. A tube, a pipe, or a hole.
3. The tube through which the wine of the Eucharist was once sucked from the chalice in certain ceremonies (such as papal Masses).

## Etymology
Learned borrowing from Latin fistula (“pipe, ulcer, catheter”). Doublet of fester.

## Easily confused with
- **fibula** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fibula-vs-fistula)
- **fistful** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fistful-vs-fistula)

## Common misspellings (10)
`ffistula`, `fisstula`, `fistlua`, `fisttula`, `fistual`, `fistulla`, `fisutla`, `fitsula`, `fsitula`, `ifstula`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/fistula