anastomosis

American  

[uh-nas-tuh-moh-sis] / əˌnæs təˈmoʊ sɪs /

noun

plural

anastomoses

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

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

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

---

anastomosis British  

/ əˌnæstəˈməʊsɪs, əˌnæstəˈmɒtɪk /

noun

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

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

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

---

Other Word Forms

• anastomotic adjective

Etymology

Origin of anastomosis

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

Example Sentences

This had a repertoire of stitches, knots and manoeuvres that permitted it to plan and carry out a procedure, known as anastomosis, which involves sewing together two parts of a bodily tube.

From Economist • May 4, 2016

In addition, an arteriovenous anastomosis may bypass the capillary bed and lead directly to the venous system.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The basilar artery is an anastomosis that begins at the junction of the two vertebral arteries and sends branches to the cerebellum and brain stem.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

"Oh," I said, "you're going to do an end-to-end anastomosis."

From Time Magazine Archive

If the leaves of many water-plants are thread-like or assume the form of antlers, we are inclined to attribute it to lack of complete anastomosis.

From Man or Matter by Lehrs, Ernst