Anastomosis

from the Greek: anastomosis — a communicating opening
German: Anastomose

1 Definition

An anastomosis (plural: anastomoses) is, in human anatomy, a connection between blood vessels (e.g. between an artery and a vein by a side branch) or between any tubular structures (e.g. loops of intestine) or between nerves. In human medicine an anastomosis is an opening, as the result of surgery, trauma, or disease, that connects two normally distinct spaces or organs.

2 Classification

2.1 ...by anatomic structure

• Vascular anastomosis
• Intestinal anastomosis
• Ureteral anastomosis
• Ureterocolonic anastomosis

2.2 ...by form

• End-to-end anastomosis
• Side-to-side anastomosis
• End-to-side anastomosis