A symphysis (, : symphyses) is a

fibrocartilaginous Fibrocartilage consists of a mixture of white fibrous tissue and Cartilage, cartilaginous tissue in various proportions. It owes its inflexibility and toughness to the former of these constituents, and its Elasticity (physics), elasticity to the ...

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 the ...

, specifically a secondary cartilaginous joint. # A symphysis is an

amphiarthrosis Amphiarthrosis is a type of continuous, slightly movable joint. Most amphiarthroses are held together by cartilage, as a result of which limited movements between the bones are made possible. An example is the joints of the vertebral column, whic ...

, a slightly movable joint. # A growing together of parts or structures. Unlike

synchondroses A synchondrosis (or primary cartilaginous joint) is a type of cartilaginous joint where hyaline cartilage completely joins together two bones. Synchondroses are different from symphyses (secondary cartilaginous joints), which are formed of fibroca ...

, symphyses are permanent.

Examples

The more prominent symphyses are: * the

pubic symphysis The pubic symphysis (: symphyses) 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 attache ...

sacrococcygeal symphysis The sacrococcygeal symphysis (sacrococcygeal articulation, articulation of the sacrum and coccyx) is an Amphiarthrosis, amphiarthrodial joint, formed between the oval surface at the apex of the sacrum, and the base of the coccyx. It is a slightly ...

intervertebral disc An intervertebral disc (British English), also spelled intervertebral disk (American English), lies between adjacent vertebrae in the vertebral column. Each disc forms a fibrocartilaginous joint (a symphysis), to allow slight movement of the ver ...

between two

vertebrae Each vertebra (: vertebrae) is an irregular bone with a complex structure composed of bone and some hyaline cartilage, that make up the vertebral column or spine, of vertebrates. The proportions of the vertebrae differ according to their spinal ...

* in the

sternum The sternum (: sternums or sterna) 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 bl ...

, between the

manubrium The sternum (: sternums or sterna) 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, human lung, lungs, and ma ...

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 anim ...

mandibular symphysis In human anatomy, the facial skeleton of the skull the external surface of the mandible is marked in the median line by a faint ridge, indicating the mandibular symphysis (Latin: ''symphysis menti'') or line of junction where the two lateral ha ...

, 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 symphyseal diastasis. There is pain that is associated with symphyseal diastasis that can make simple everyday tasks truly unbearable. A few of the medical techniques that are used to fully confirm a diagnosis of symphyseal diastasis 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 symphyseal diastasis. The common cause of this disorder is when there is a high energy event that is occurring like vaginal child birth. Sometimes symphyseal diastasis 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 does not only occur within postpartum mothers. Many athletes experience symphyseal diastasis 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 area of the symphysis.

References

External links

commons.bcit.ca
Joints {{musculoskeletal-stub