A surgical connection between two tubular structures such as blood vessels, intestines, or other hollow organs. It can also refer to natural connections between blood vessels or other anatomical structures.
From Greek 'ana' meaning up or back, and 'stoma' meaning mouth or opening. The term literally means 'opening up together' and has been used in anatomy since the 17th century to describe both natural and surgical connections.
Surgical anastomoses must be sewn with incredible precision - even a tiny leak in a bowel anastomosis can cause life-threatening infection. Surgeons often test their work by injecting air or dye to ensure the connection is watertight before closing the patient!
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