inosculation

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

inosculation
    n 1: a natural or surgical joining of parts or branches of
         tubular structures so as to make or become continuous [syn:
         {anastomosis}, {inosculation}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Inosculation \In*os`cu*la"tion\, n. [Cf. F. inosculation.]
   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; as,
   inosculation of veins, etc. --Ray.
   [1913 Webster]