symphysis

noun

sym·​phy·​sis ˈsim(p)-fə-səs 

plural symphyses ˈsim(p)-fə-ˌsēz 

1

: an immovable or more or less movable articulation of various bones in the median plane of the body

2

: an articulation in which the bony surfaces are connected by pads of fibrous cartilage without a synovial membrane

Examples of symphysis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Then, at 11 weeks, a debilitating pregnancy condition called symphysis pubis dysfunction derailed me. —Women's Health, 31 July 2023

The proportional length of the mandibular symphysis correlates consistently with rostral shape, forming as much as 50% of the mandible’s length in longirostrine forms, but 10% in brevirostrine crocodilians. —Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 24 Jan. 2013

This injury meant that Listenbee was experiencing serious inflammation in the pubic symphysis (which refers to the cartilage uniting the two pubic bones) and surrounding muscles. —Michael McCann, SI.com, 1 Feb. 2018

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek, state of growing together, from symphyesthai to grow together, from syn- + phyein to make grow, bring forth — more at be

First Known Use

circa 1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

symphysis

noun

sym·​phy·​sis ˈsim(p)-fə-səs 

plural symphyses -ˌsēz 

1

: an immovable or more or less movable articulation of various bones in the median plane of the body see pubic symphysis

2

: an articulation (as between the bodies of vertebrae) in which the bony surfaces are connected by pads of fibrous cartilage without a synovial membrane