What is the term for an abnormal tubelike passageway in the body?

The term for an abnormal tubelike passageway in the body is known as a fistula. Fistulas can form between various structures, such as between organs or between an organ and the skin, often as a result of injury, surgery, disease, or infections. They create a pathological connection that should not exist under normal physiological conditions, leading to potential complications and requiring medical attention for correction or management.

In contrast, a stricture refers to an abnormal narrowing of a passage in the body, often affecting tubes such as blood vessels or intestines, but does not imply the creation of a new passageway. An aneurysm describes an abnormal ballooning or bulging of a blood vessel wall, while a hernia typically involves the protrusion of an organ or tissue through an abnormal opening, but not the creation of a tubelike structure.