206 



THE A R riCULA TIOXS 



joint, and interlace across the median line with fibres from the opposite side nearly 

 as high as tlie middle of the symphysis. 



The anterior ligament (tigs. 2iO and 211) is thick and strong, and is closely 

 connected with the fascial covering of the muscles arising from the l)ody of the 

 pubes. It consists of several strata of thick decussating fibres of different degrees 

 of ol)liquity, the superficial being the most oblique, and extending lowest over the 

 joint. The most superficial descending fibres extend from the upper border of the 



Fig. -210.— Axtkkior Vikw of the Sy.mphysis Pubis (Male), showing the Decussation 

 OK THE Fibres of the Anteeiok Ligament. 



Superior pubic ligament 



Infex'ior pubic liga 



pubis, cross others from the opposite side about the middle of the symphysis, and 

 are attached to the ramus of the opposite bone. The most superficial ascending 

 fibres come from the infrapubic ligament, arch upwards, and decussate with other 

 fibres across the middle line, and are lost on the opposite side beneath the descend- 

 ing set. There is another deeper set of descending fibres which arise below the 

 angle, Init do not descend so far as the superficial; and a deeper set of ascending, 

 which decussate, and reach higher than the superficial set, and are connected with 



Fig. -211.— Anterior View of the Symphysis Pubis (Female), showing greater Width 



BETWEEN the BONES. 

 Superior pubic ligament 



Inferior pubic ligament 



tlic infr:i]»ubic ligament. Some few transverse fibres pass from side to side, 

 especially al)()ve and Ix'low the ])(>ints of decuss^ition. 



The inferior or infrapubic ligament (figs. 210, 211 and 212) is a thick, arch- 

 like band of closely ])acked fibres which fills up the angle between the })ubic rami, 

 and forms a smooth, rounded summit to the pubic arch. On section, it is yellow- 

 ish in colour and three-eighths of an inch (1 cm.) thick in the middle line; it is 

 inseparably connected with the interosseous cartilage. Both on the front and back 

 aspects of the joint it gives off decussating fibres, which, by their interlacement over 



