paraplegia

[ par-uh-plee-jee-uh, -juh ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. paralysis of both lower limbs due to spinal disease or injury. Compare quadriplegia ( def ).

paraplegia

/ ˌpærəˈpliːdʒə /

noun

1. pathol paralysis of the lower half of the body, usually as the result of disease or injury of the spine Compare hemiplegia quadriplegia

paraplegia

/ păr′ə-plē′jē-ə /

1. Paralysis of the lower part of the body, caused by injury to the spinal cord.

Other Words From

• par·a·ple·gic [par-, uh, -, plee, -jik, -, plej, -ik], adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of paraplegia¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from New Latin, from Ionic Greek (Hippocrates) paraplēgíē; “hemiplegia”; para- ¹, -plegia

Word History and Origins

Origin of paraplegia¹

C17: via New Latin from Greek: a blow on one side, from para- ¹+ plēssein to strike

Example Sentences

Knowing how these molecular machines work may be key to understanding and treating motoneuron diseases such as multiple sclerosis and spastic paraplegia.

From Science Daily

Here are the stories of a disabled woman, her father and her caretakers; a lawyer and her late mother’s physician; a woman with paraplegia and her home health aide; and a contact tracer.

From New York Times

Common symptoms are back pain, lower limb weakness and paraplegia.

From New York Times

He also received special monthly compensation for paraplegia and was given allowances for a caregiver and Social Security Administration disability insurance payments, court documents said.

From Fox News

The term “paralysis” conjures up images of spinal cord injury resulting in paraplegia and quadriplegia.

From Seattle Times