<Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> Anatomical terminology (edit on Wikidata) </Td> </Tr> <P> The pubic symphysis or symphysis pubis is the midline cartilaginous joint (secondary cartilaginous) uniting the superior rami of the left and right pubic bones . It is located anterior and inferior to the urinary bladder . In males, the suspensory ligament of the penis attaches to the pubic symphysis . In females, the pubic symphysis is intimately close to the clitoris . In normal adults it can be moved roughly 2 mm and with 1 degree rotation . This increases for women at the time of childbirth . </P> <P> The pubic symphysis is a nonsynovial amphiarthrodial joint . The name comes from the Greek word "symphysis", meaning "growing together". The width of the pubic symphysis at the front is 3--5 mm greater than its width at the back . This joint is connected by fibrocartilage and may contain a fluid - filled cavity; the center is avascular, possibly due to the nature of the compressive forces passing through this joint, which may lead to harmful vascular disease . The ends of both pubic bones are covered by a thin layer of hyaline cartilage attached to the fibrocartilage . The fibrocartilaginous disk is reinforced by a series of ligaments . These ligaments cling to the fibrocartilaginous disk to the point that fibers intermix with it . </P> <P> Two such ligaments are the superior pubic ligament and the inferior pubic ligament, which provide the most stability; the anterior and posterior ligaments are weaker . The strong and thicker superior ligament is reinforced by the tendons of the rectus abdominis muscle, the abdominal external oblique muscle, the gracilis muscle, and by muscles of the hip . The superior pubic ligament connects together the two pubic bones superiorly, extending laterally as far as the pubic tubercles . The inferior ligament in the pubic arch is also known as the arcuate pubic ligament or subpubic ligament; it is a thick, triangular arch of ligamentous fibers, connecting together the two pubic bones below, and forming the upper boundary of the pubic arch . Above, it is blended with the interpubic fibrocartilaginous lamina; laterally, it is attached to the inferior rami of the pubic bones; below, it is free, and is separated from the fascia of the urogenital diaphragm by an opening through which the deep dorsal vein of the penis passes into the pelvis . </P>

What holds the bone ends of an amphiarthrodial joint together