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Definition

noun, plural: anastomoses

(1) Interconnection between parts of a branching system forming a network, as in leaf anastomosis.

(2) Cross-connection between blood vessels or between tubular structures.

(3) The surgical creation intubular structures to form a connecting passage between these structures.

Supplement

In circulatory anastomosis, there is a direct connection between arteries, veins, venules, and arterioles without any intervening capillaries.

In surgical anastomosis such as intestinal anastomosis, a segment of intestine is resected and the two remaining ends are sewn or stapled together (anastomosed), for example Roux-en-Y anastomosis.

Word origin: Late Latin anastomōsis, from Greek, outlet, from anastomoun, to furnish with a mouth : ana- + stoma, mouth.

Related forms: anastomotic (adjective).
Related terms:

• a-v anastomosis
• brauns anastomosis
• circular anastomosis
• damus-stancel-kaye anastomosis
• elliptical anastomosis
• intestinal anastomosis
• martin-gruber anastomosis
• termino-terminal anastomosis
• hoyers anastomoses
• portacaval anastomoses