symphysis

Also from Answers.com... Cancer Treatments Learn about current and promising cancer treatments.

1. 1. A growing together of bones originally separate, as of the two pubic bones or the two halves of the lower jawbone.
   2. A line or junction thus formed.
   3. An articulation in which bones are united by cartilage without a synovial membrane.
2. The coalescence of similar parts or organs.

[Greek sumphusis, from sumphuein, to cause to grow together : sun-, syn- + phuein, to cause to grow.]

A line of union between two bony surfaces such as the pubic symphysis or symphysis of the mandible.

1. A joint in which the bones are united by fibrocartilage. Symphyses, such as the pubic symphysis and the joints formed by intervertebral discs, allow only slight movement.

2. The line of union between two bones that were separate during early stages of development.

Symphysis

Pl. symphyses [Gr.] a type of joint in which the apposed bony surfaces are firmly united by a plate of fibrocartilage or cartilage; e.g. intermandibular joint, pelvic symphysis. There is usually cartilage against each bone and fibrous tissue or fibrocartilage in the middle.

• ischiatic s. — the line of fusion between the bodies of the ischia.
• mandibular s. — the joint between the two halves of the mandible which allows each half to rotate, as in the jaws of the dog, cat, ruminants and many other species, is a cartilaginous symphysis. In the jaws of horses and pigs the mandibles are fused together.
• pelvic s. — the combined pubic and ischiatic symphyses, a cartilaginous symphysis.
• pubic s., s. pubis — the line of union of the bodies of the pubic bones in the median plane.

Symphysis
Diagrammatic section of a symphysis.
Gray's	subject #70 285

A symphysis is a fibrocartilaginous fusion between two bones. It is a type of cartilaginous joint.

Unlike synchondroses, symphyses are permanent.^[1]

Contents 1 Examples 2 Injury 3 References 4 External links

Examples

The more prominent symphyses are:

• the pubic symphysis
• the symphyses between the bones of the skull, most notably the mandible (symphysis menti)
• sacrococcygeal symphysis

Injury

The pubic symphysis widens slightly whenever your legs are streched far apart. In sports where these movements are often performed, the risk of a public symphysis blockage is high, in which case, after completion of the movement, the bones at the symphysis do not re-align correctly and can get jammed in a dislocated position. The resulting pain can be quite severe, especially on further strain put upon the affected joint. In most cases, the joint can only be successfully reduced into its normal position by a trained medical professional.

References

1. ^ "Module - Introduction to Joints". http://anatomy.med.umich.edu/modules/joints_module/joints_10.html. Retrieved on 2008-01-29. 

External links

• Symphysis at eMedicine Dictionary
• http://commons.bcit.ca/biology/articulations/cartilaginous.html

This musculoskeletal system article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

v • d • e Joints Types fibrous: Gomphosis · Suture · Syndesmosis cartilaginous: Synchondrosis · Symphysis synovial: Plane joint · 1° (Hinge joint, Pivot joint) · 2° (Condyloid joint, Saddle joint) · 3° (Ball and socket joint) by range of motion: Synarthrosis · Amphiarthrosis · Diarthrosis Terminology Kinesiology · Anatomical terms of motion · Agonist/Antagonist Motions general: Flexion/Extension · Adduction/Abduction · Internal rotation/External rotation · Elevation/Depression specialized/upper limbs: Protraction/Retraction · Supination/Pronation specialized/lower limbs: Plantarflexion/Dorsiflexion · Eversion/Inversion Components Articular capsule (Synovial membrane, Fibrous membrane) · Synovial fluid · Bursa · Articular disk · Synovial sheath extracapsular: Ligament · Fascia/Aponeurosis/Tendon (Tendon sheath) · Enthesis

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)