What does ankylosing spondylitis mean?

Ankylosing means fusing together. Spondylitis indicates inflammation of the vertebrae. Both words come from the Greek. So, AS describes the condition by which some or all of the joints and bones of the spine fuse together. Entire fusing of the spine is unusual. Many people will only have partial fusion

What actually happens?

Inflammation occurs at the site where certain ligaments or tendons attach to bone (enthesis). This is followed by some erosion of bone at the site of the attachment (enthesopathy). As the inflammation subsides, a healing process takes place and new bone develops. Movement becomes restricted where bone replaces the elastic tissue of ligaments or tendons. Repetition of this inflammatory process leads to further bone formation and the individual bones which make up your backbone, the vertebrae, can fuse together...eg your neck?

may occur after prolonged bed rest eg after a car accident
also
gene related
What is the risk of passing it on to my children?

If a parent has AS there is a 50% chance that the B27 gene will be passed on to a child. However, not everyone with the B27 gene will go on to develop AS

Are any other diseases associated with AS?

A skin condition called psoriasis is associated with AS. Psoriasis causes scaly patches on the skin and scalp. It can also lead to a slightly different form of arthritis

My daughter and son have psorasis, so maybe I might have this gene?
My Mother's neck is fused together she was told, I think my Xrays look fine still?