Pubic symphysis

Looks like

The joint at the front of the pelvis where the two pubic bones meet in the midline, joined by a pad of fibrocartilage.

What it does

Closes the pelvic ring at the front and absorbs stress from walking; it moves only a few millimetres.

Keeping it well

Loosens in pregnancy and can hurt (pelvic girdle pain). Pain here in athletes may be osteitis pubis. A wide gap after injury needs imaging.

Its parts

• Interpubic disc

Related conditions

• Bone metastases and spinal cord compression
• Developmental dysplasia of the hip
• Gout
• Haemophilia & bleeding disorders
• Lyme disease
• Marfan syndrome & connective tissue disorders
• Obstructed labour and obstetric fistula
• Osteoarthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Rheumatic fever & rheumatic heart disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Temporomandibular joint disorder