'ankylogenic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'ankylos', where 'ankyl-' meant 'bent; curved; stiff' and the combining form '-genic' (from Greek 'genikos') meant 'producing'.

'ankylogenic' developed from Neo-Latin/medical formation combining the prefix 'ankylo-' (from Greek 'ankylos') with the suffix '-genic' and entered modern English as a specialized medical adjective.

Initially it meant 'producing stiffness or binding', and over time it came to be used specifically as 'causing or producing ankylosis (fusion of bones or joints)'.