ANASTOMO´SIS, in animals and plants, the inosculation of vessels, or the opening of one vessel into another, as an artery into another artery, or a vein into a vein. By means of anastomosis, if the course of a fluid is arrested in one vessel it can proceed along others. It is by anastomosis that circulation is re-established in amputated limbs, and in aneurism when the vessel is tied.
ANATH´EMA, originally a gift hung up in a temple (Gr., _anatith[=e]mi_, to lay up), and dedicated to some god, a votive offering; but it gradually came to be used for _expulsion_, _curse_. The Roman Catholic Church pronounces the sentence of anathema against heretics, schismatics, and all who wilfully pursue a course of conduct condemned by the Church. The subject of the anathema is declared an outcast from the Church, all the faithful are forbidden to associate with him, and the utter destruction of his body and soul is foretold.
ANAT´IDÆ, a family of swimming birds, including the Ducks, Swans, Geese, &c.
ANATO´LIA (from Gr. _anatol[=e]_, the sunrise, the Orient), the modern name of Asia Minor (q.v.).
ANATOLIAN RAILWAY. See _Bagdad Railway, Turkey_.
ANAT´OMY, in the literal sense, means simply a cutting up, but is now generally applied both to the art of dissecting or artificially separating the different parts of an organized body (vegetable or animal) with a view to discover their situation, structure, and economy; and to the science which treats of the internal structure of organized bodies. By means of the dissection of the human body the surgeon and physician acquire the knowledge of the geography of the territory in which all their professional operations are carried on. _Comparative anatomy_ is the science which compares the anatomy of different classes or species of animals, as that of man with quadrupeds, or that of quadrupeds with fishes. The anatomy of an animal may be studied from various standpoints: with relation to the succession of forms which it exhibits from its first stage to its adult form (_developmental_ or _embryotical anatomy_); with reference to the general properties and structure of the tissues or textures (_general anatomy_, _histology_); with reference to the changes in structure of organs or parts produced by disease and congenital malformations (_morbid_ or _pathological anatomy_); or with reference to the function, use, or purpose performed by the organs or parts (_teleological_ or _physiological anatomy_). According to the parts of the body described, the different divisions of human anatomy receive different names; as, _osteology_, the description of the bones; _myology_, of the muscles; _arthrology_, of the ligaments and sinews; _splanchnology_, of the viscera or internal organs, in which are reckoned the lungs, stomach, and intestines, the liver, spleen, kidneys, bladder, pancreas, &c. _Angiology_ describes the vessels through which the liquids in the body are conducted, including the blood-vessels, which are divided into arteries and veins, and the lymphatic vessels, some of which absorb matters from the bowels, while others are distributed through the whole body, collecting juices from the tissues and carrying them back into the blood. _Neurology_ describes the system of the nerves and of the brain; _dermatology_ treats of the skin.--Among anatomical labours are particularly to be mentioned the making and preserving of anatomical preparations. Preparations of this sort can be preserved (1) by macerating the body so as to obtain the bones of the skeleton; or (2) by treating the body or some part of it with alcohol, formalin, or other preservative, which renders its tissues imperishable.