Definition: An abnormal tunnel that connects the anus to the skin. Fistulas tend to be more common in people who have Crohn's disease than those who have ulcerative colitis. A fistula may begin as an abscess, which is a pocket of infection inside the body. As the abscess becomes larger and fills with pus or other fluids, it may eventually create a canal between the anus and the skin.
Anal fistulas may require treatment with antibiotics or TNF-inhibitors, or in more severe cases, an enteral diet or surgery.
Pronunciation: AY-nul FIST-yoo-luh
