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Anatomy. communication between blood vessels by means of collateral channels, especially when usual routes are obstructed.
Biology, Geology. connection between parts of any branching system, as veinlets in a leaf or branches of a stream.
Surgery, Pathology. a joining of or opening between two organs or spaces that normally are not connected.
Historical Examples

In the smaller vessels a frequent running together, or anastomosis, occurs.
Special Report on Diseases of the Horse United States Department of Agriculture

Anastomosing, forming a net-work (anastomosis), as the veins of leaves, 50.
The Elements of Botany Asa Gray

Aneurysm by anastomosis is the name applied to a vascular tumour in which the arteries, veins, and capillaries are all involved.
Manual of Surgery Alexis Thomson and Alexander Miles

It is by anastomosis that circulation is re-established in amputated limbs, and in aneurism when the vessel is tied.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 2 Various

Where the anastomosis is less free the process is more prolonged.
Manual of Surgery Alexis Thomson and Alexander Miles

We sometimes, however, find cases of anastomosis among the stems of even the higher plants.
The Testimony of the Rocks Hugh Miller

By means of anastomosis, if the course of a fluid is arrested in one vessel it can proceed along others.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 2 Various

anastomosis varies with the position of the ligature, but is very free between the various muscular branches of these vessels.
A Manual of the Operations of Surgery Joseph Bell

In such cases the anastomosis between branches of the coronary arteries is unusually free.
Arteriosclerosis and Hypertension: Louis Marshall Warfield

noun (pl) -ses (-siːz)
a natural connection between two tubular structures, such as blood vessels
the surgical union of two hollow organs or parts that are normally separate
the separation and rejoining in a reticulate pattern of the veins of a leaf or of branches
n.

1610s, medical or Modern Latin, from Greek anastomosis “outlet, opening,” from anastomoein “to furnish with a mouth,” from stoma “mouth” (see stoma). Related: Anastomotic.

anastomosis a·nas·to·mo·sis (ə-nās’tə-mō’sĭs)
n. pl. a·nas·to·mo·ses (-sēz)

The direct or indirect connection of separate parts of a branching system to form a network, especially among blood vessels.

The surgical connection of separate or severed tubular hollow organs to form a continuous channel as between two parts of the intestine.

An opening created by surgery, trauma, or disease between two or more normally separate spaces or organs.

a·nas’to·mot’ic (-mŏt’ĭk) adj.