Definition

Noun: A person who has paralysis in all four limbs (both arms and both legs). This condition, known as quadriplegia or tetraplegia, typically results from injury or disease affecting the spinal cord in the cervical (neck) region.

Usage

The term is used to describe a person with this specific physical condition. It is a clinical and descriptive term. - It is considered more respectful to use "person-first" language (e.g., "a person with quadriplegia") in many contexts, though the noun "quadriplegic" is still widely used and understood. - The term specifies the extent of paralysis, distinguishing it from paraplegia (paralysis of the lower half of the body).

Examples

• After the accident, he became a quadriplegic and uses a motorized wheelchair for mobility.
• The hospital has a specialized unit for treating quadriplegics.
• She is an advocate for accessibility rights for quadriplegics and others with mobility impairments.

Advanced Usage

• Quadriplegia (n): The medical condition of paralysis of all four limbs.
  • The injury resulted in complete quadriplegia.
• The adjective form is quadriplegic.
  • He has quadriplegic paralysis.

Variants and Related Words

• Tetraplegic (n): A synonym for quadriplegic, more common in medical terminology outside of North America.
• Paraplegic (n): A person who is paralyzed in the legs and lower body.
• Palsy (n): A general term for paralysis, often accompanied by tremors (e.g., cerebral palsy).

Synonyms

• Person with tetraplegia
• Person with quadriplegia (person-first language)

Notes

• The term originates from the Latin meaning "four" and the Greek meaning "stroke" or "paralysis."
• It is important to be mindful that the term refers to a medical condition and not to the entirety of a person's identity.

Noun

1. a person who is paralyzed in both arms and both legs