Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun The union of two vessels of an animal body by openings into each other, so as to permit the passage of a fluid; anastomosis.
  • noun Hence Some analogous union or relation; a running together; junction: as, in botany, the inosculation of the veins of a leaf, or of a scion with the stock in grafting.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun The junction or connection of vessels, channels, or passages, so that their contents pass from one to the other; union by mouths or ducts; anastomosis; intercommunication

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun The junction or connection of vessels, channels, or passages, so that their contents pass from one to the other; union by mouths or ducts; intercommunication.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a natural or surgical joining of parts or branches of tubular structures so as to make or become continuous

Etymologies

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Examples

  • On considering the circles of inosculation formed around the innominate bone between the branches derived from the iliac arteries near the sacro-iliac junction, and those emanating from the common femoral, above and below Poupart's ligament, it will at once appear that, in respect to the lower limb, the collateral circulation will occur more freely if the ligature be applied to the main vessel (external iliac) than if to the common femoral below its branches.

    Surgical Anatomy Joseph Maclise

  • The wide difference of the fish on the opposite sides of most mountain-ranges, which are continuous, and which consequently must from an early period have completely prevented the inosculation of the river-systems on the two sides, leads to the same conclusion.

    XIII. Geographical Distribution-Continued. Fresh-water Productions 1909

  • Now Galen, explaining the use of these valves, and the necessity for them, employs the following language: 1 “There is everywhere a mutual anastomosis and inosculation of the arteries with the veins, and they severally transmit both blood and spirit, by certain invisible and undoubtedly very narrow passages.

    VII. The Blood Passes Through the Substance of the Lungs from the Right Ventricle of the Heart into the Pulmonary Veins and Left Ventricle 1909

  • Heart of the same dog-embryo, from behind. a inosculation of the vitelline veins, b left auricle, c right auricle,

    The Evolution of Man — Volume 2 Ernst Heinrich Philipp August Haeckel 1876

  • Since then there has been a perpetual inosculation of the sciences and the arts.

    Essays on Education and Kindred Subjects Everyman's Library Herbert Spencer 1861

  • The wide difference of the fish on opposite sides of continuous mountain-ranges, which from an early period must have parted river-systems and completely prevented their inosculation, seems to lead to this same conclusion.

    On the Origin of Species~ Chapter 12 (historical) Charles Darwin 1859

  • The wide difference of the fish on opposite sides of continuous mountain-ranges, which from an early period must have parted river-systems and completely prevented their inosculation, seems to lead to this same conclusion.

    On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life 1859

  • But where shall we find the first atom in this house of man, which is all consent, inosculation, and balance of parts?

    The Conduct of Life (1860) 1856

  • It should be added that the course of the vessels differs somewhat in different leaves, and even on opposite sides of the same leaf, but the main inosculation is always present.

    Insectivorous Plants Charles Darwin 1845

  • But the union of the vessels in this zigzag line seems to be much less intimate than at the main inosculation.

    Insectivorous Plants Charles Darwin 1845

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