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symphysis

 - 4 dictionary results

sym⋅phy⋅sis

  [sim-fuh-sis]
Use symphysis in a Sentence
–noun, plural -ses  [-seez] . Anatomy, Zoology.
1. the growing together, or the fixed or nearly fixed union, of bones, as that of the two halves of the lower jaw in humans or of the pubic bones in the anterior part of the pelvic girdle.
2. a line of junction or articulation so formed.
Origin:
1570–80; < NL < Gk sýmphysis a growing together, equiv. to sym- sym- + phýsis, equiv. to phy-, s. of phȳ́ein to grow (see be ) + -sis -sis

Related forms:
sym⋅phys⋅tic  [sim-fis-tik] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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sym·phy·sis   (sĭm'fĭ-sĭs)   
n.   pl. sym·phy·ses (-sēz')

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

    2. A line or junction thus formed.

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

  2. The coalescence of similar parts or organs.


[Greek sumphusis, from sumphuein, to cause to grow together : sun-, syn- + phuein, to cause to grow; see bheuə- in Indo-European roots.]
sym'phy·se'al (sĭm'fĭ-sē'əl), sym·phys'i·al (sĭm-fĭz'ē-əl) adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: sym·phy·sis
Pronunciation: 'sim(p)-f&-s&s
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural sym·phy·ses /-"sEz/
1 : an immovable or more or less movable articulation of various bones in the median plane of the body—see PUBIC SYMPHYSIS
2 : an articulation (as between the bodies of vertebrae) in which the bony surfaces areconnected by pads of fibrous cartilage without a synovial membrane
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

symphysis sym·phy·sis (sĭm'fĭ-sĭs)
n. pl. sym·phy·ses (-sēz')

  1. A form of cartilaginous joint in which union between two bones is effected by fibrocartilage without a synovial membrane.

  2. A union, meeting point, or commissure of two structures.

  3. A growing together of bones originally separate, as of the two pubic bones.

  4. A line or junction thus formed.

  5. A pathological adhesion or growing together.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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