anastomosis

noun

anas·​to·​mo·​sis ə-ˌna-stə-ˈmō-səs 

plural anastomoses ə-ˌna-stə-ˈmō-ˌsēz 

1

: the union of parts or branches (as of streams, blood vessels, or leaf veins) so as to intercommunicate or interconnect

2

: a product of anastomosis : network

anastomotic

ə-ˌna-stə-ˈmä-tik 

adjective

Examples of anastomosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The diameters of the jejunum and ileum remained stable, maintaining a favorable jejunum-to-ileum ratio, and the strength of the anastomosis improved. —The Salt Lake Tribune, 16 Aug. 2023

For their study, researchers from the same universities that developed the device enlisted 20 women to undergo lymphatico-venous anastomosis — a surgical procedure used to treat a common breast cancer surgery complication. —Mclean Bennett, Discover Magazine, 11 Feb. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Greek anastomōsis, from anastomoun to provide with an outlet, from ana- + stoma mouth, opening — more at stomach entry 1

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

anastomosis

noun

anas·​to·​mo·​sis ə-ˌnas-tə-ˈmō-səs  ˌan-əs- 

plural anastomoses -ˌsēz 

1

a

: a communication between or coalescence of blood vessels

b

: the surgical union of parts and especially hollow tubular parts

anastomosis of the ureter and colon is surgically practicable

2

: a product of anastomosis

especially : a network (as of channels or branches) produced by anastomosis

anastomotic

-ˈmät-ik 

adjective