Word parts
What it means
It is usually caused by an injury or disease of the spinal cordSPY-nul KORDThe long bundle of nerves that runs down through the backbone and carries messages between the brain and the body.Full entry below the neck. Depending on the level, it can also affect bladder, bowel and sexual function. Paralysis of all four limbs is quadriplegia (tetraplegia), and paralysis of one side is hemiplegia.
For the nurse
Prevent the complications of immobility: turn and check the skin, keep joints moving, prevent clots and set up bladder and bowel programs.
At a glance
| Spanish | paraplejia |
|---|---|
| Also written | paraplegic |
Related terms
spinal cord
The long bundle of nerves that runs down through the backbone and carries messages between the brain and the body.
paralysis
Loss of the ability to move a part of the body, and sometimes loss of feeling in it.
para-
A word beginning that means beside, near, beyond or abnormal.