Clinical Diagnosis · Nervous System · Medium
Quadriplegia
Meaning: Paralysis of all four limbs, usually from cervical spinal cord damage.
In practice: A high cervical cord injury from diving can leave all limbs paralysed; also termed tetraplegia.
Word parts
- -plegia means paralysis
Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.
Quick check
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Which word means: Chronically high blood pressure that strains the heart and blood vessels.
Answer: Hypertension
Which word means: Swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in body tissues.
Answer: Edema
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