[par-uh-plee-jee-uh, -juh] 
| paralysis of both lower limbs due to spinal disease or injury. |
| par·a·ple·gi·a (pār'ə-plē'jē-ə, -jə) n. Complete paralysis of the lower half of the body including both legs, usually caused by damage to the spinal cord. [Greek dialectal paraplēgiē, hemiplegia, from paraplēssesthai, paraplēg-, to be paralyzed, from paraplēssein, to strike on one side : para-, beside; see para-1 + plēssein, to strike; see plāk-2 in Indo-European roots.] par'a·ple'gic (-plē'jĭk) adj. & n. |
paraplegia par·a·ple·gi·a (pār'ə-plē'jē-ə, -jə)
n.
Complete paralysis of the lower half of the body including both legs, usually caused by damage to the spinal cord.
| paraplegia (pār'ə-plē'jē-ə) Pronunciation Key
Paralysis of the lower part of the body, caused by injury to the spinal cord. |
paraplegia
paralysis of the legs and lower part of the body. Paraplegia often involves loss of sensation (of pain, temperature, vibration, and position) as well as loss of motion. It may also include paralysis of the bladder and bowel. Paraplegia may be caused by injury to or disease of the lower spinal cord or peripheral nerves or by such brain disorders as cerebral palsy. Some paraplegics are able to walk with the aid of braces and crutches. Quadriplegia involves paralysis of both arms and both legs. Respiration may also be affected if the upper cervical region of the spinal cord is damaged.
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əˈpli