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Dictionary · Word part

ankyl/o

A word part that means stiff, fused or bent.

ANG-kih-loh root

What it means

The root in words about joints that have become stiff or grown together. Ankylosis is stiffening or fusion of a joint, and ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory arthritis that can fuse the bones of the spine. Ankyloglossia (tongue-tie) is a tongue held down by a short band of tissue.

At a glance

Also writtenankylo-

Related terms

arthritis

Inflammation of one or more joints.

spondyl/o

A word part that means vertebra, one of the bones of the spine.

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