symphysis

1. [NA] Form of cartilaginous joint in which union between two bones is effected by means of fibrocartilage. SYN: amphiarthrosis. 2. A union, meeting point, or commissure of any two structures. 3. A pathologic adhesion or growing together. SYN: secondary cartilaginous joint [TA]. [G. a growing together]

- intervertebral s. [TA] the union between adjacent vertebral bodies composed of the nucleus pulposus, annular ligament, and the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments. SYN: s. intervertebralis [TA].

- s. intervertebralis [TA] SYN: intervertebral s..

- s. mandibulae [TA] SYN: mandibular s..

- mandibular s. [TA] the fibrocartilaginous union of the two halves of the mandible in the fetus; it becomes an osseous union during the first year. SYN: s. mandibulae [TA], mental s., s. mentalis, s. menti.

- manubriosternal s. [TA] the later union, by fibrocartilage, of the manubrium and the body of the sternum; it begins as a synchondrosis and becomes a s., occasionally fusing to become a synostosis. SYN: s. manubriosternalis [TA], sternomanubrial junction.

- s. manubriosternalis [TA] SYN: manubriosternal s..

- mental s. SYN: mandibular s..

- s. mentalis SYN: mandibular s..

- s. menti SYN: mandibular s..

- pericardial s. adhesion between the parietal and visceral layers of the pericardium.

- pubic s. [TA] the firm fibrocartilaginous joint between the two pubic bones. SYN: s. pubica [TA], s. pubis.

- s. pubica [TA] SYN: pubic s..

- s. pubis SYN: pubic s..

- s. sacrococcygea SYN: sacrococcygeal joint.

- s. xiphosternalis [TA] SYN: xiphisternal joint.

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sym·phy·sis 'sim(p)-fə-səs n, pl -phy·ses -.sēz

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

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n.

1. a joint in which the bones are separated by fibrocartilage, which minimizes movement and makes the bony structure rigid. Examples are the pubic symphysis (the joint between the pubic bones of the pelvis) and the joints of the backbone, which are separated by intervertebral discs.

2. the line that marks the fusion of two bones that were separate at an early stage of development, such as the symphysis of the mandible.

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sym·phy·sis (simґfĭ-sis) pl. symґphyses [Gr. “a growing together, natural junction”] [TA] a type of cartilaginous joint in which the apposed bony surfaces are firmly united by a plate of fibrocartilage; called also fibrocartilaginous joint. symphyseal adj