The pubic symphysis
Pubic symphysis · symphysis pubica
The cartilage joint where the two halves of the pelvis meet at the front.
What it does
At the front of the pelvis, the two pubic bones are joined by a disc of fibrocartilage and strong ligaments. The joint moves only a tiny amount, but that flexibility helps the pelvis absorb forces when you walk and run.
Surprising fact
The joint widens by a few millimetres during pregnancy and childbirth, and changes in its surface are used by forensic scientists to estimate a person's age from a skeleton.
Why it matters
Pain at the front of the pelvis during pregnancy, called symphysis pubis dysfunction, comes from this joint and usually settles after birth.
Nearby
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Sources
Drafted with AI help; awaiting a human fact-check against these sources.
Open in the 3D atlas · Suggest a correction · Not medical advice.
3D models: Z-Anatomy & BodyParts3D (CC BY-SA 4.0 / 2.1 JP). Card text CC BY 4.0.