symphysis

sym·phy·sis  (smf-ss)

n. pl. sym·phy·ses (-sz)

1.

a. A growing together of bones originally separate, as of the two pubic bones or the two halves of the lower jawbone.

b. A line or junction thus formed.

c. An articulation in which bones are united by cartilage without a synovial membrane.

2. The coalescence of similar parts or organs.

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[Greek sumphusis, from sumphuein, to cause to grow together : sun-, syn- + phuein, to cause to grow; see bheu- in Indo-European roots.]

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symphy·seal (smf-sl), sym·physi·al (sm-fz-l) adj.

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symphysis [ˈsɪmfɪsɪs]

n pl -ses [-ˌsiːz]

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Anatomy) (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Botany) Anatomy botany a growing together of parts or structures, such as two bony surfaces joined by an intermediate layer of fibrous cartilage

2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Anatomy) a line marking this growing together

3. (Medicine / Pathology) Pathol an abnormal adhesion of two or more parts or structures

[via New Latin from Greek sumphusis, from sumphuein, from syn- + phuein to grow]

symphysial , symphyseal [sɪmˈfɪzɪəl] adj

symphystic  [sɪmˈfɪstɪk], symphytic adj

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symphysis

the growing together or the fixed or almost fixed union of two bones, as the two halves of the lower jaw. — symphyseal, symphysial, symphystic, adj.

See also: Bones

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	symphysis - an abnormal adhesion of two or more structures adhesion - abnormal union of bodily tissues; most common in the abdomen
	2.	symphysis - a growing together of parts or structures biological process, organic process - a process occurring in living organisms