anastomosis
Meaning of anastomosis: An anastomosis is a connection joining two tubular structures, such as blood vessels or bowel segments, whether formed naturally or surgically.
Definition of anastomosis
An anastomosis is a connection between two structures that are normally separate, most often tubular organs such as blood vessels or sections of the intestine. Some anastomoses occur naturally, as when networks of blood vessels connect to provide alternate routes for blood flow, while others are created surgically.
A surgical anastomosis is commonly performed after a diseased or damaged section of a tubular organ has been removed, joining the two remaining healthy ends back together to restore a continuous passage. This is a routine step in many operations on the intestine, blood vessels, and other tubular structures throughout the body.
Because an anastomosis relies on the surgically joined tissue healing properly, complications such as leakage or narrowing at the connection site are recognized risks, and the healed anastomosis is sometimes evaluated afterward with imaging or direct examination to confirm that it is functioning as intended.
Used in a sentence
An anastomosis was created between the remaining segments of bowel after the diseased portion was removed.
Good to know
A surgical anastomosis can develop a leak or a narrowing as it heals, complications that are specifically monitored for after the type of surgery that requires this connection.
Word origin
Where “anastomosis” comes from
Formed from Greek anastomosis, from ana-, meaning up or again, and stoma, meaning mouth or opening, describing the creation of a new opening between two structures.