SYMPHYSIS PUBIS 



23& 



It is continuous in front with the deep traverse fibres of the anterior ligament, and be- 

 hind with the posterior ligament. It gives origin to the rectus abdominis tendon. 



The posterior ligament (fig. 277) is slight, and, excepting above and below, 

 consists of little more than thickened periosteum. 



Near the upper part is a band of strong fibres, reaching the whole width of the pubic bones, 

 and continuous with the thickened periosteal fibres along the terminal line. Below, many of the 

 upper and superficial fibres of the arcuate ligament ascend over the back of the joint, and 

 interlace across the median line with fibres from the opposite side nearly as high as the middle 

 of the symphysis. 



275. — Antebior View of the Stmphysis Pubis (Male), showing the Decussation 

 OF the Fibres of the Anterior Ligament. 



Superior pubic ligament 



Fig. 



Arcuate ligament 



The anterior ligament (figs. 275 and 276) is thick and strong, and is closelj' 

 connected with the fascial covering of the muscles arising from the body of the 

 pubis. It consists of several strata of thick, decussating fibres of different de- 

 grees of obliquity, the superficial being the most oblique, and extending lowest 

 over the joint. 



The most superficial descending fibres extend from the upper border of the 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 arcuate ligament, 



Fig. 276. — Anteriok View of the Symphysis Pubis (Female), showing greater Width 



between the Bones. 



Superior pubic ligament 



Arcuate ligament 



arch upwardj'and decussate with other fibres across the middle line, and are lost on the oppo- 

 site side beneath the descending set. There is another deeper set of descending fibres which 

 arise below the angle, but 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 the arcuate 

 ligament. Some few transverse fibres pass from side to side, especially above and below^the 

 points of decussation. 



The arcuate (inferior or subpubic) ligament (figs. 275, 276, and 277) is a 

 thick, arch-like band of closely packed fibres which fills up the angle between the 

 pubic rami, and forms a smooth, rounded summit to the pubic arch. On section, 

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

 line; it is inseparably connected with the interpubic cartilage. 



