Which term means a condition of being crooked, bent, or stiff?

• A. Anuria
• B. Ankylosis
• C. Antibiotic
• D. Antipyretic

Answer: (B)

In medical terminology, a term that describes a condition of stiffness or immobility uses the root ankyl- and the suffix -osis, giving ankylosis. The root ankyl- means stiff or fused, and -osis marks a condition or state. So ankylosis refers to a disease state where a joint becomes stiff or fused, often resulting in limited or no movement. This is used in contexts like ankylosis of a knee or spine, where the joint loses mobility due to abnormal fusion or rigidity. The other terms point to different concepts: anuria means absence of urine, an antibiotic is a drug that fights bacteria, and an antipyretic lowers fever.