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symphysis pubica, symphysis pubis
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Symphysis pubis exposed by a Coronal Section (Pubic symphysis visible at center left)
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Sagittal section through the pelvis of a newly born male child (Symphysis pubis labeled at center right)
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The is the midline
Cartilaginous Joint uniting the superior
Rami of the left and right
Pubic Bone s (
Pubis ).
It is located anterior to the
Urinary Bladder and superior to the
External Genitalia ; for females it is above the
Vulva and for males it is above the
Penis . In males, the
Suspensory Ligament Of The Penis attaches to the pubic symphysis. In females, the pubic symphysis is intimately close to the
Clitoris .
During pregnancy in the human, hormones such as
Relaxin soften this cartilage allowing the pelvic bones to be more flexible for delivery. The symphysis pubis actually separates during the birthing process in some women: this is painful but rare, with reported rates of occurrence ranging from one in 600 to one in 3400 births.
The pubic symphysis have importance in the field of forensic anthropology, as they can be used to estimate the age of adult skeletons. Throughout life, the surfaces of the pubic symphysis are worn at a more or less predictable rate. By examining the wear of the pubic symphysis, it is possible to estimate the age of the person at death.
Historically, when labor failed to progress because of the head of the fetus was too large, the mother's symphysis pubis was cut and the fetus' skull was crushed. The Caesarean section has allowed for the - largely safe - delivery of these infants (see Hope Langer, MD; NY Times Review of Books, Oct. 22, 2006)
