Dictionary:

anastomosis

  (ə-năs'tə-mō'sĭs)

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1. The connection of separate parts of a branching system to form a network, as of leaf veins, blood vessels, or a river and its branches.
2. Medicine. The surgical connection of separate or severed tubular hollow organs to form a continuous channel, as between two parts of the intestine.

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

The joining together of two blood vessels or other tubular structures to furnish a direct or indirect communication between the two structures.

The division of a river into a stable multi-channel system with levées and backswamps, developed under aggrading conditions, and with large, stable islands between the channels. An anastomosing channel differs from an anabranching channel in that these fugitive channels have distributaries of their own. See also drainage patterns. For anastomotic drainage, See drainage patterns.

1. A union or joining together of blood vessels or other tubular structures. Anastomosis usually refers to the direct connection between arteries, veins, venules, and arterioles without any intervening capillaries. If an anastomosis is present when an artery is blocked with a blood clot, the anastomosis forms a collateral circulation enabling other arteries to take over the blocked artery's work. If no anastomosis is present. the tissue beyond the clot is likely to die. Endurance training may increase anastomoses of coronary arteries, reducing the effects of a coronary thrombosis.

2. A surgical union of two tubular structures, usually by sutures or staples.

1. communication between two tubular organs.
2. surgical, traumatic or pathological formation of a connection between two normally distinct structures.

• arteriovenous a. — anastomosis between an artery and a vein.
• cobra-head a. — a technique used in joining grafts to blood vessels. Ends of grafts are trimmed to form an enlarged lumen.
• esophageal a. — uniting the free ends after complete resection of a part of the esophagus.
• heterocladic a. — one between branches of different arteries.
• intercarotid a. — a naturally occurring communication between the internal and external carotid arteries in birds. It provides a collateral pathway for blood to the brain, the counterpart of the cerebral arterial circle of Willis in mammals.
• intestinal a. — establishment of a communication between two formerly distinct portions of the intestine.
• skin arteriovenous a. — frequent natural occurrence; capable of diverting large volumes of blood to splanchnic circulation during cardiovascular stress.
• tracheal a. — end-to-end anastomosis of the trachea after resection of a part.
• ureterocolonic a. — see ureterocolostomy.

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