anastomosis

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ἀναστόμωσις (anastómōsis), from ἀναστομόω (anastomóō, “furnish with a mouth or outlet”).

noun

1. A cross-connection between two blood vessels.
2. An interconnection between any two channels, passages or vessels.
   (...) our grandam, which we are linked up with by successive anastomosis of navelcords sold us all, seed, breed and generation, for a penny pippin. 1922, James Joyce, Ulysses
   A dark purple fluid appeared to pulse in the tortuous anastomoses of channels which lay under the surface. 1929, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, When the World Screamed
3. (surgery) The surgical creation of a connecting passage between blood vessels, bowels or other channels.
4. The insertion of one word within another, as in "underdarkneath" (James Joyce).