suture

(so̵̅o̅c̸hər)

noun

    1. the act of joining together by or as by sewing
    2. the line along which such a joining is made
  1. Anat. the joining together, or the irregular line of junction, of certain vertebrate bones, esp. of the skull
  2. Bot.
    1. a seam formed when two parts unite
    2. a line of dehiscence along which a fruit, as a pod or capsule, splits
  3. Surgery
    1. the act or method of joining together the two edges of a wound or incision by stitching or similar means
    2. any material, as gut, thread, wire, etc., so used
    3. a single loop or knot of such material made in suturing

Origin: L sutura < sutus, pp. of suere, to sew

transitive verb sutured, suturing

to join together with or as with sutures

Related Forms:

See suture in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. a. The process of joining two surfaces or edges together along a line by or as if by sewing.
    b. The material, such as thread, gut, or wire, that is used in this procedure.
    c. The line or stitch so formed.
  2. Medicine
    a. The fine thread or other material used surgically to close a wound or join tissues.
    b. The stitch so formed.
  3. Anatomy The line of junction or an immovable joint between two bones, especially of the skull.
  4. Biology A seamlike joint or line of articulation, such as the line of dehiscence in a dry fruit or the spiral seam marking the junction of whorls of a gastropod shell.
transitive verb su·tured, su·tur·ing, su·tures
To join by means of sutures or a suture.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Latin sūtūra

Origin: , from sūtus

Origin: , past participle of suere, to sew; see syū- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • suˈtur·al adjective
  • suˈtur·al·ly adverb

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