ankylosis

noun

an·​ky·​lo·​sis ˌaŋ-ki-ˈlō-səs 

plural ankyloses ˌaŋ-ki-ˈlō-ˌsēz 

1

: stiffness or fixation of a joint by disease or surgery

2

: union of separate bones or hard parts to form a single bone or part

ankylotic

ˌaŋ-ki-ˈlä-tik 

adjective

Examples of ankylosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some joints may stop functioning and actually fuse together, which is called ankylosis. —Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 5 June 2024

On the X-ray, one of the early indicators of ankylosis spondylitis is the fusion of the sacroiliac joints—where the spine and the pelvis meet, says Dr. Shamie. —Colleen Stinchcombe, Health.com, 21 Jan. 2022

Word History

Etymology

earlier ancylosis, anchylosis, borrowed from New Latin ancylosis, borrowed from Greek ankýlōsis "tongue-tie, stiffening of joints," from ankylō-, variant stem of ankyloûn "to crook, bend" (derivative of ankýlos "bent, crooked, curved") + -sis -sis, angle entry 3

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

ankylosis

noun

an·​ky·​lo·​sis

variants also anchylosis

ˌaŋ-ki-ˈlō-səs 

plural ankyloses -ˌsēz 

: stiffness or fixation of a joint by disease or surgery

ankylotic adjective

also anchylotic

-ˈlät-ik