häpyliiton

Häpyliiton is the Finnish term for the pubic symphysis, the cartilaginous joint that unites the left and right pubic bones at the front of the pelvis. It forms a midline connection between the anterior parts of the pelvic bones and sits at the front of the pelvic ring, just above the external genitalia.

Anatomically, the pubic symphysis is classified as a secondary cartilaginous joint (amphiarthrosis). It consists of a fibrocartilaginous interpubic disc sandwiched between articular hyaline cartilage on the facing surfaces of the pubic bones, surrounded by a capsule and supported by several ligaments. The main reinforcing ligaments are the superior and inferior pubic ligaments, which help stabilize the joint while allowing limited mobility.

Functionally, the joint provides stability to the anterior pelvic ring and acts as a flexible hinge that accommodates small movements between the two halves of the pelvis. This limited mobility becomes particularly relevant during activities such as walking and, in women, during pregnancy when hormonal changes can slightly loosen the ligaments to facilitate childbirth.

Clinical significance may arise from injury or excessive separation of the joint. Pubic diastasis or pelvic girdle pain can occur due to trauma, childbirth, or conditions that affect pelvic stability. Diagnosis typically involves clinical assessment and imaging, such as X-ray or ultrasound. Treatment is usually conservative, including rest, physical therapy, and pain management, with surgical intervention reserved for rare or severe cases.

In Finnish medical terminology, häpyliiton thus denotes the pubic symphysis, a stable yet adaptable component of the pelvic girdle.