Pathology · Musculoskeletal System · Hard

Ankylosis

Meaning: Abnormal stiffening or bony fusion of a joint.

In practice: Late spondylitis can fuse the sacroiliac joints and spine, producing a rigid bamboo spine.

Word parts

  • -osis means an abnormal condition or process

Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.

Quick check

Two questions on related pathology words.

Which word means: A closed sac filled with fluid, air, or semi-solid material within body tissue.

Which word means: Benign bony outgrowth projecting from the surface of a bone.

Words like ankylosis come up in the daily game

One medical word a day, then a quick three-question quiz. Free on iPhone, or play in your browser on Android and computer.

Related words

More pathology terms · All medical words