Meanings
plural symphyses
- countableuncountableanatomyThe process of two originally separate bones growing together as the subject matures, as with the pubic bones or lower jawbones in humans.
- A place where two bones are closely joined in the median plane of the body, either forming an immovable joint (as between the pubic bones in the center of the pelvis) or completely fused (as at the midline of the lower jaw).
- countableuncountableanatomyA line, discernable on an X-ray, showing such fusion.
- countableuncountableanatomyThe cartilaginous material that adjoins and facilitates the junction of such bones, without a synovial membrane.
Origin
- New Latinsymphysis
- New Latinsymphysis
- Englishsymphysis
Borrowed from New Latin symphysis.
More words from New Latin
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Polish symfiza
- symfizaTranslations
Spanish sínfisis
- sínfisisTranslations
Cite this entry
symphysis. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/symphysis
“symphysis.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/symphysis. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “symphysis,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/symphysis.
Source: symphysis on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.