HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

What is the result of ankylosis?

1. Stiff joint caused by bone fusion

2. Increased flexibility in the joints

3. Growth of bone tissue

4. Loss of muscle mass

The correct answer is: Stiff joint caused by bone fusion

Ankylosis is characterized by the fusion of bones at a joint, which leads to the stiffening or rigidity of that joint. This condition can result from various factors, including inflammation, injury, or disease processes such as arthritis. When the bones fuse together, they lose their ability to move freely, which significantly limits the range of motion. Increased flexibility in the joints does not apply in this context, as ankylosis specifically refers to the loss of mobility. The growth of bone tissue may occur in different contexts, such as during healing or as a result of certain diseases, but it doesn't directly describe the result of ankylosis itself. Similarly, loss of muscle mass relates to muscular atrophy and is not a direct result of the fusion of bones at a joint. Thus, the definition of ankylosis aligns clearly with the description of a stiff joint caused by bone fusion.