n. pl. sym·phy·ses (-sēz′) 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. [Greek sumphusis, from sumphuein, to cause to grow together : sun-, syn- + phuein, to cause to grow; see bheuə- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] sym′phy·seal (sĭm′fĭ-sēəl), sym·physi·al (sĭm-fĭz′ē-əl) adj. |
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