ankylosing spondylitis definition
ankylosing spondylitis (Bekhterev's spondylitis) a form of rheumatoid arthritis that affects the spine, characterized by inflammation of the facet joints and inflammatory changes of the stabilizing ligaments of the spine (enthesopathy).It affects males almost exclusively.nkylosing spondylitis. n. Arthritis of the spine, resembling rheumatoid arthritis and leading to lipping or fusion of the vertebrae. Also called Struempell-StrÃ¼mpell marie, Disease-Marie struempell, strÃ¼mpell disease, Rheumatoid-Spondylitis struempell. strÃ¼mpell marie disease