Paralysis of all four limbs and the torso, usually resulting from spinal cord injury in the neck region. Also called tetraplegia, it affects both arms and legs.
From Latin 'quadri-' meaning 'four' + Greek 'plegia' meaning 'paralysis'. The alternative term 'tetraplegia' uses Greek 'tetra-' (four) for consistency with Greek medical terminology.
Quadriplegia is like having the main power station for your body's movement shut down at the highest level! When the spinal cord is damaged in the neck area, it's like cutting the master cable that controls everything below - no signals can get through to operate any of the limbs or trunk muscles.
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