Anastomosis
/əˌnæs.təˈmoʊ.sɪs/noun
A natural or surgically created connection between two tubular structures, such as blood vessels or sections of intestine.
Did you know?The term comes from Greek language used to describe openings or outlets, and surgeons later adopted it for reconnecting vessels, intestines, and other passageways.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*steh₂-
“A proposed Indo-European root associated with standing or placement; its connection to Greek stoma is debated in scholarship.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
στόμα (stóma)
“Mouth, opening, or entrance”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀναστομόω (anastomóō)
“To furnish with an opening or open a passage”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀναστόμωσις (anastómōsis)
“An opening, outlet, or connection between passages”
Late Antiquity
Latin
anastomosis
“An opening or communication between anatomical structures”
17th Century
English
anastomosis
“A natural connection between blood vessels or other anatomical channels”
Modern English
English
anastomosis
“A natural or surgically made connection between tubular body structures”
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