symphysis pubis

noun

The midline cartilaginous joint uniting the superior rami of the left and right pubic bones (pubis), also known as the pubic symphysis. In men, it supports the suspensory ligament; in women, it loosens and flexes to aid childbirth.

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Meanings

nounsymphysis pubis (plural symphyses pubis)

plural symphyses pubis

  1. anatomyThe midline cartilaginous joint uniting the superior rami of the left and right pubic bones (pubis), also known as the pubic symphysis. In men, it supports the suspensory ligament; in women, it loosens and flexes to aid childbirth.

    The head was above the symphysis pubis, but she could not feel anything else definitive.

    2009, Jennifer Worth, Farewell to the East End, Weidenfeld & Nicholson, page 88

Origin

Latin

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Finnish häpyliitos
  • häpyliitosjoint
Polish spojenie łonowe
  • spojenie łonowejoint
Cite this entry
APA

symphysis pubis. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/symphysis%20pubis

MLA

“symphysis pubis.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/symphysis%20pubis. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “symphysis pubis,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/symphysis%20pubis.

Source: symphysis pubis on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.