A symphysis (, pl. symphyses) is a
fibrocartilaginous
Fibrocartilage consists of a mixture of white fibrous tissue and cartilaginous tissue in various proportions. It owes its inflexibility and toughness to the former of these constituents, and its Elasticity (physics), elasticity to the latter. It ...
fusion between two bones. It is a type of
cartilaginous joint
Cartilaginous joints are connected entirely by cartilage (fibrocartilage or hyaline). Cartilaginous joints allow more movement between bones than a fibrous joint but less than the highly mobile synovial joint. Cartilaginous joints also forms th ...
, specifically a secondary cartilaginous joint.
# A symphysis is an
amphiarthrosis
Amphiarthrosis is a type of continuous, slightly movable joint.
Types
In amphiarthroses, the contiguous bony surfaces can be:
* A symphysis: connected by broad flattened disks of fibrocartilage, of a more or less complex structure, which adhere ...
, a slightly movable joint.
# A growing together of parts or structures.
Unlike
synchondroses, symphyses are permanent.
Examples
The more prominent symphyses are:
* the
pubic symphysis
The pubic symphysis is a secondary cartilaginous joint between the left and right superior rami of the pubis of the hip bones. It is in front of and below the urinary bladder. In males, the suspensory ligament of the penis attaches to the pubic ...
*
sacrococcygeal symphysis
The sacrococcygeal symphysis (sacrococcygeal articulation, articulation of the sacrum and coccyx) is an amphiarthrodial joint, formed between the oval surface at the apex of the sacrum, and the base of the coccyx.
It is a slightly moveable joint ...
*
intervertebral disc
An intervertebral disc (or intervertebral fibrocartilage) lies between adjacent vertebrae in the vertebral column. Each disc forms a fibrocartilaginous joint (a symphysis), to allow slight movement of the vertebrae, to act as a ligament to hold t ...
between two
vertebrae
The spinal column, a defining synapomorphy shared by nearly all vertebrates,Hagfish are believed to have secondarily lost their spinal column is a moderately flexible series of vertebrae (singular vertebra), each constituting a characteristic i ...
* in the
sternum
The sternum or breastbone is a long flat bone located in the central part of the chest. It connects to the ribs via cartilage and forms the front of the rib cage, thus helping to protect the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels from injury. Sh ...
, between the
manubrium and
body
Body may refer to:
In science
* Physical body, an object in physics that represents a large amount, has mass or takes up space
* Body (biology), the physical material of an organism
* Body plan, the physical features shared by a group of anima ...
*
mandibular symphysis, in the jaw
Symphysis disorders
Pubic symphysis diastasis
Pubic symphysis diastasis, is an extremely rare complication that occurs in women who are giving birth. Separation of the two pubic bones during delivery at the symphyseal joint is extremely rare. Typically, during the birthing process, there is a sound that can be heard by the human ear to detect that there could be a case of symphysis. There is a pain that is associated with symphysis that can make simple everyday tasks truly unbearable. A few of the medical techniques that are used to fully confirm a diagnosis of symphysis are "radiography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging." Many overlook their pain that they experience after delivering their child, and just account the pain as postpartum which delays the diagnosis and treatment for symphysis.
The common cause of this disorder is when there is a high energy event that is occurring like vaginal child birth. Sometime symphysis is known as "Floating Pubic Symphysis (FPS)." treatments for this disorder include "external fixation, subcutaneous fixation, internal fixation, and percutaneous cannulated screw fixation." this problem must be resolved immediately because it can cause other problems like "hemorrhagic shock and rectal, urogenital, and vaginal injuries".
Often, patients with pubic symphysis diastasis are able to benefit from non-operative procedures to heal them and take away their pain. When the non-operative procedures prove to be unhelpful, the doctors have to resort to surgical procedures to ease the pain and fix the problem. Even though this illness is extremely rare, there have been treatments that have been discovered.
This disease doesn't only occur within postpartum mothers. Many athletes experience symphysis when they are playing in their sports fields. The symptoms include groin pain and increased pain when participating in weight bearing activities. Even without proof or diagnosis of a hernia, there can be major pain and soreness experienced in the air of the symphysis.
References
External links
commons.bcit.ca
Joints
{{musculoskeletal-stub