symphysis

sym·phy·sis

1. a. A growing together of bones originally separate, as of the two pubic bones or the two halves of the lower jawbone.
   b. A line or junction thus formed.
   c. An articulation in which bones are united by cartilage without a synovial membrane.
2. The coalescence of similar parts or organs.

Origin: Greek sumphusis, from sumphuein, to cause to grow together : sun-, syn- + phuein, to cause to grow; see bheuə- in Indo-European roots.

Related Forms:

• symphyseal symˌphy·seˈal (sĭmˌfĭ-sēˈəl), sym·physˈi·al (sĭm-fĭzˌē-əl) adjective