Symphysis
Encyclopedia
A symphysis is a fibrocartilaginous
fusion between two bones. It is a type of cartilaginous joint
, specifically a secondary cartilaginous joint.
1.A symphysis is an amphiarthrosis, a slightly movable joint.
2.A growing together of parts or structures
Unlike synchondroses, symphyses are permanent.
Cartilage
Cartilage is a flexible connective tissue found in many areas in the bodies of humans and other animals, including the joints between bones, the rib cage, the ear, the nose, the elbow, the knee, the ankle, the bronchial tubes and the intervertebral discs...
fusion between two bones. It is a type of cartilaginous joint
Cartilaginous joint
Cartilaginous joints are connected entirely by cartilage . Cartilaginous joints allow more movement between bones than a fibrous joint but less than the highly mobile synovial joint. An example would be the joint between the manubrium and the sternum...
, specifically a secondary cartilaginous joint.
1.A symphysis is an amphiarthrosis, a slightly movable joint.
2.A growing together of parts or structures
Unlike synchondroses, symphyses are permanent.
Examples
The more prominent symphyses are:- the pubic symphysisPubic symphysisThe pubic symphysis or symphysis pubis is the midline cartilaginous joint uniting the superior rami of the left and right pubic bones. It is located anterior to the urinary bladder and superior to the external genitalia; for females it is above the vulva and for males it is above the penis...
- the symphyses between the bones of the skullHuman skullThe human skull is a bony structure, skeleton, that is in the human head and which supports the structures of the face and forms a cavity for the brain.In humans, the adult skull is normally made up of 22 bones...
, most notably the mandible (symphysis mentiSymphysis mentiThe external surface of the mandible is marked in the median line by a faint ridge, indicating the symphysis menti, mandibular symphysis, or line of junction of the two pieces of which the bone is composed at an early period of life....
) - sacrococcygeal symphysis
- intervertebral discIntervertebral discIntervertebral discs lie between adjacent vertebrae in the spine. Each disc forms a cartilaginous joint to allow slight movement of the vertebrae, and acts as a ligament to hold the vertebrae together.-Structure:...
between two vertebrae - in the sternum, between the manubriumManubriumThe manubrium or manubrium sterni is the broad, upper part of the sternum. Located ventrally with a quadrangular shape, wider superiorly and narrower inferiorly, it articulates with the clavicles and the first two ribs.-Borders:The superior border is the thickest and presents at its center the...
and body, and between the body and xiphoid processXiphoid processThe xiphoid process, or xiphisternum or metasternum, is a small cartilaginous process of the lower part of the sternum which is usually ossified in the adult human. By age 15 to 29, the xiphoid usually fuses to the body of the sternum with a fibrous joint. Unlike the synovial articulation of major...