symphysis
Americannoun
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symphyses
plural
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the growing together, or the fixed or nearly fixed union, of bones, as that of the two halves of the lower jaw in humans or of the pubic bones in the anterior part of the pelvic girdle.
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a line of junction or articulation so formed.
noun
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anatomy botany a growing together of parts or structures, such as two bony surfaces joined by an intermediate layer of fibrous cartilage
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a line marking this growing together
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pathol an abnormal adhesion of two or more parts or structures
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of symphysis
1570–80; < New Latin < Greek sýmphysis a growing together, equivalent to sym- sym- + phýsis, equivalent to phy-, stem of phȳ́ein to grow ( see be) + -sis -sis
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
"When I saw the incomplete mandibular symphysis, I was genuinely excited," says Professor Benoit.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 14, 2026
Specifically, "These features include the presence of four post-canine teeth, a larger lower canine, and a fused and short mandibular symphysis," according to a press release.
From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2024
An example is the pubic symphysis of the pelvis, the cartilaginous joint that strongly unites the right and left hip bones of the pelvis.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013
The pubis curves medially, where it joins to the pubis of the opposite hip bone at a specialized joint called the pubic symphysis.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013
Operation.—A large curved staff with a central groove is to be held firmly hooked up against the symphysis pubis, and then steadied by the left forefinger in the rectum.
From A Manual of the Operations of Surgery For the Use of Senior Students, House Surgeons, and Junior Practitioners by Joseph Bell
In symphyses, hyaline cartilage covers the end of the bone but the connection between bones occurs through fibrocartilage.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
Cartilaginous joints are joints in which the bones are connected by cartilage; the two types of cartilaginous joints are synchondroses and symphyses.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
There are two types of cartilaginous joints: synchondroses and symphyses.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
Amphiarthroses are joints that allow slight movement, including syndesmoses and symphyses.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
This gives symphyses the ability to strongly unite the adjacent bones, but can still allow for limited movement to occur.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
