Definition

A medical condition where a person cannot move or feel their legs and lower body due to injury or disease affecting the spinal cord.

Example

After the accident, he was diagnosed with paraplegia and had to adjust to life in a wheelchair.

Conversation

I read an article about how people cope with paraplegia after an accident.

That must have been really inspiring to read.

Yeah, it highlighted their resilience and determination.

It's amazing how some individuals adapt to such challenges.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Paraplegia → It is formed from "para-" (meaning beside or alongside) and "plegia" (from Greek "plege", meaning stroke or blow). The term describes a condition where there is paralysis affecting the lower half of the body, as if the legs are beside or alongside the functioning parts of the body.

Memory Tip

Imagine a situation where the legs are 'beside' ('para-') the rest of the body, unable to move due to 'stroke' or 'blow' ('plegia'). This helps you remember that paraplegia refers to paralysis of the lower body.

Visually Confused Words