tracheoesophageal fistula

tracheoesophageal fistula /trā′kē·ō·ē′səfā″jē·əl/ [Gk, tracheia + oisophagos, gullet] , a congenital malformation in which there is an abnormal tubelike passage between the trachea and the esophagus. Also spelled tracheooesophageal fistula.