Quadriplegia, Quadriplegic

Meaning

Paralysis in all four limbs and possibly torso, often resulting from spinal cord injury.

Background

Quadriplegia is also called tetraplegia, a term which may be more commonly used outside the United States or by medical professionals.

Paralysis comes in various degrees and types. Typically, if paralysis affects movement or feeling in all four limbs, it is categorized as quadriplegia. Quadriplegia is caused by spinal cord injury high in the spinal cord, usually between C1 and C7, according to SpinalCord.com.

"Quadri" is Latin for "four," "tetra" is Greek for "four," and "plegia" is Greek for "paralysis."

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