What does tetraplegia mean?
Tetraplegia is the paralysis or severe impairment of voluntary movement in all four limbs. It is a medical condition commonly associated with significant spinal-cord injury, especially an injury involving the cervical spine, although its causes can vary. The condition may be complete or incomplete, meaning that some sensation or movement can remain in the affected limbs. Tetraplegia requires long-term medical care, rehabilitation, and substantial adjustments to everyday life. The word is formal and clinical, while quadriplegia is also common and usually understood as a synonym. It should be distinguished from paraplegia, which primarily affects the lower body. Knowing the term helps describe paralysis accurately without implying that every affected person has the same degree of impairment or the same experience.
nounTetraplegia is a medical condition involving paralysis or severe impairment of voluntary movement in all four limbs. It may be complete or incomplete.
- A medical condition in which all four limbs are paralyzed or have severely impaired voluntary movement.
"After the accident, she began a long rehabilitation program for tetraplegia."
"The documentary follows several people living with tetraplegia and their families."
"A spinal-cord injury at the cervical level can result in tetraplegia."
Rare as a count noun; plural usage is more often expressed as “cases of tetraplegia.”
"The report documented several tetraplegias caused by spinal-cord injuries."
Tetraplegia and paraplegia are separated by a simple body map: all four limbs versus both legs.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of tetraplegia
Tetraplegia is built from the combining forms tetra- and -plegia. The first comes from Greek tetra-, meaning “four,” while -plegia is related to Greek plēgē, meaning “stroke” or “blow,” and refers to paralysis. The construction follows other medical terms such as hemiplegia, paraplegia, and monoplegia.
Related word forms
How tetraplegia is actually used
This is a formal medical and disability term. In modern English, tetraplegia and quadriplegia are widely used as equivalents, although quadriplegia may be more familiar in general discussion.
Easily confused with tetraplegia
Paraplegia is paralysis affecting both legs, whereas tetraplegia affects all four limbs.