anastomosis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very RareTechnical/Scientific (primarily Medical, Biological, Geographical)
Quick answer
What does “anastomosis” mean?
A connection or joining between two structures, especially blood vessels, rivers, or branches of a network.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A connection or joining between two structures, especially blood vessels, rivers, or branches of a network.
In biology and medicine, a cross-connection between adjacent channels, tubes, fibers, or other parts of a network. In more general contexts, any interconnecting or merging of separate parts into a network.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Neutral, purely technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialised in both UK and US English, confined almost exclusively to technical fields.
Grammar
How to Use “anastomosis” in a Sentence
undergo anastomosis (with)perform anastomosis (between X and Y)an anastomosis of X to Yanastomosis occurs (naturally)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “anastomosis” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The surgeon will anastomose the two ends of the vessel.
- The rivers anastomose across the floodplain during the wet season.
American English
- The surgeon will anastomose the two ends of the vessel.
- The streams anastomose, creating a braided pattern.
adverb
British English
- [Not used adverbially]
American English
- [Not used adverbially]
adjective
British English
- The patient has an anastomotic leak.
- The region is characterised by anastomosing streams.
American English
- The anastomotic site is healing well.
- We studied the anastomosing river system.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical, biological, and geographical research papers (e.g., 'the anastomosis of river channels in the delta').
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term in surgery (e.g., joining bowel segments after resection), anatomy (e.g., arterial anastomoses around joints), and geology (e.g., anastomosing river systems).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “anastomosis”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “anastomosis”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “anastomosis”
- Misspelling as 'anastamosis'.
- Using it as a general synonym for 'combination' or 'mixture'.
- Incorrect pluralisation ('anastomosises').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The plural is 'anastomoses', pronounced /əˌnæs.təˈməʊ.siːz/ (UK) or /əˌnæs.təˈmoʊ.siːz/ (US).
Yes, but rarely. It is used in geology/geography to describe braided or interconnected river channels, and in biology for fungal or neuronal networks.
The most common mistake is misspelling it as 'anastamosis', swapping the 'o' and the 'm'.
No, the word itself is a noun. The related verb is 'to anastomose'.
A connection or joining between two structures, especially blood vessels, rivers, or branches of a network.
Anastomosis is usually technical/scientific (primarily medical, biological, geographical) in register.
Anastomosis: in British English it is pronounced /əˌnæs.təˈməʊ.sɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˌnæs.təˈmoʊ.sɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this highly technical term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a NOSE to NOSE connection between two tubes: ANASTOMOSIS.
Conceptual Metaphor
NETWORKS ARE ANASTOMOSES (e.g., the internet is an anastomosis of servers and cables).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'anastomosis' LEAST likely to be used?