anastomosis

[ uh-nas-tuh-moh-sis ]

/ əˌnæs təˈmoʊ sɪs /

noun, plural a·nas·to·mo·ses [uh-nas-tuh-moh-seez] /əˌnæs təˈmoʊ siz/.

Anatomy. communication between blood vessels by means of collateral channels, especially when usual routes are obstructed.

Biology, Geology. connection between parts of any branching system, as veinlets in a leaf or branches of a stream.

Surgery, Pathology. a joining of or opening between two organs or spaces that normally are not connected.

Nearby words

anastasis, anastasius i, anastigmat, anastigmatic, anastomose, anastomosis, anastomotic branch, anastomotic ulcer, anastrophe, anastrozole, anastylosis

Origin of anastomosis

1605–15; < New Latin < Greek: opening. See ana-, stoma, -osis

Related forms

a·nas·to·mot·ic

[uh-nas-tuh-mot-ik] /əˌnæs təˈmɒt ɪk/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for anastomosis

In such cases the anastomosis between branches of the coronary arteries is unusually free.
Arteriosclerosis and Hypertension:|Louis Marshall Warfield
Aneurysm by Anastomosis is the name applied to a vascular tumour in which the arteries, veins, and capillaries are all involved.
Manual of Surgery|Alexis Thomson and Alexander Miles
We sometimes, however, find cases of anastomosis among the stems of even the higher plants.
The Testimony of the Rocks|Hugh Miller
By means of anastomosis, if the course of a fluid is arrested in one vessel it can proceed along others.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 2|Various

In the smaller vessels a frequent running together, or anastomosis, occurs.
Special Report on Diseases of the Horse|United States Department of Agriculture

British Dictionary definitions for anastomosis

anastomosis

/ (əˌnæstəˈməʊsɪs) /

noun plural -ses (-siːz)

a natural connection between two tubular structures, such as blood vessels

the surgical union of two hollow organs or parts that are normally separate

the separation and rejoining in a reticulate pattern of the veins of a leaf or of branches

Derived Forms

anastomotic (əˌnæstəˈmɒtɪk), adjective

Word Origin for anastomosis

C16: via New Latin from Greek: opening, from anastomoun to equip with a mouth, from stoma mouth

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for anastomosis

anastomosis

[ ə-năs′tə-mō′sĭs ]

n. pl. a•nas•to•mo•ses (-sēz)

The direct or indirect connection of separate parts of a branching system to form a network, especially among blood vessels.

The surgical connection of separate or severed tubular hollow organs to form a continuous channel as between two parts of the intestine.

An opening created by surgery, trauma, or disease between two or more normally separate spaces or organs.

Related forms

a•nas′to•mot′ic (-mŏt′ĭk) adj.