stomato-, stomat-, stom-, -stoma, -stomatous, -stomous, -stome, -stomy, -ostomy, -ostome,

1. The stitching of one vessel to another without leaks: In medical school, Alice learned about anastomosis as being the cross connection between two blood vessels.
2. The connection or communication between two tubular organs of normally separate parts or spaces so they intercommunicate: It was also interesting to learn that a anastomosis could also refer to an interconnection between any two passages or channels, in addition to vessels.
3. The connection or place of connection of two or more parts of a natural branching system: Anastomosis can refer to blood vessels, leaf veins, stems of woody plants, or rivers.
4. The surgical union of two hollow organs: Anastomosis pertains to the connection of blood vessels or parts of the intestine, to ensure continuity of the passageways.

An anastomosis may naturally occur or artificially constructed and be created during the process of embryonic development or by surgery, trauma, or pathological means.

For example, an anastomosis may connect two blood vessels (as in a naturally occurring arteriovenous anastomosis, a connection between an artery and a vein), or it may connect the healthy sections of the colon or rectum after a cancerous or otherwise diseased portion has been surgically removed.

A gastrojejunal anastomosis connects the stomach directly with the jejunum or part of the small intestine.

The term anastomosis comes from Greek. It originally referred to an opening or junction through a mouth as of one body of water with another.

Anastomosis has been in medical usage since the Greek physician Galen (129-200 A.D.) used it to describe the interconnections between blood vessels.

A reference to surgical, traumatic, or pathologic formation of a connection between two normally distinct structures: Dr. Lawson told his students about the anastomotic possibility of connecting passages between bowels body vessels, or other channels.

In zoology, referring to a narrow mouth or a non-distensible mouth: Some angiostomatous mollusks,snails, and snakes are those that cannot widen or stretch open their mouths markedly or considerably

The creation of an opening into a blood vessel: A cannula is used by surgeons to form an angiostomy, an opening into a blood vein or artery.

The surgical formation of an opening through the chest wall into the bronchia: This very rare surgical operation makes a new opening, permanent or partly permanent, into one of the main air tubes leading into the lungs.

A surgical procedure in which a body cavity is opened, usually to provide drainage: Mr. Simmon's doctor discovered an abscess in his lungs and a cavernostomy had to be performed as soon as possible.

A surgical operation that involves the connection between the cecum and another section of the colon: Because of a disease in his intestine, Mr. Black underwent a cecocolostomy that provided a linkage between the first part of the large intestine with a another part of his colon.

A surgical operation involving the act of bringing the serum through the wall of the abdomen: In medical school, John learned about the operation called cecostomy which was performed with using a tube for drainage, and normally performed to treat an obstruction on the colon.

A surgical operation involving the gallbladder being linked to the small intestine.: In order for the bile to pass from the liver to the intestine when the bile duct is obstructed, a cholecystenterostomy must be performed.

The surgical or endoscopic formation of a connection between the gallbladder and the stomach: When a patient is too weak or sick for major surgery, a cholecystgastrostomy can be performed to create a passageway between the gall bladder and the stomach.

A medical operation joining the divided parts or ends of the common bile duct: A choledochocholedochostomy is performed in order to restore the normal flow of bile, when the bile duct has been injured, damaged, or when a damaged part has been removed,

The surgical formation of a passage between the common bile duct and the duodenum (the first section of the small intestine, just below the stomach): A choledochoduodenostomy is normally performed to bypass an obstruction of the bile duct.

The surgical formation of a passage between the common bile duct and the small intestine: A choledochoenterostomy establishes a communication, other than the natural one, between the common bile duct and a part of the intestine.

This operation allows the bile to flow into the intestine when the usual passageway is damaged or blocked.

A surgical procedure to create an opening between the common bile duct and the stomach: A choledochogastrostomy may also result spontaneously from trauma, neoplasm (abnormal new mass of tissue), or an inflammatory disease, but such occurrences are rare.

The surgical procedure which creates an opening between the common bile duct and the liver: A choledochohepatostomy connects the bile duct to some part of the hepatic duct to allow bile to flow freely, when the usual passageway is somehow blocked.