paraplegia

paraplegia

paraplegia , paralysis of the lower part of the body, commonly affecting both legs and often internal organs below the waist. When both legs and arms are affected, the condition is called quadriplegia. Paraplegia and quadriplegia are caused by an injury or disease that damages the spinal cord, and consequently always affects both sides of the body. The extent of the paralysis depends on the level of the spinal cord at which the damage occurs. For example, damage to the lowest area of the cord may result only in paralysis of the legs, whereas damage farther up on the cord causes possible loss of control over the muscles of the bladder and rectum as well or, if occurring even higher, may result in paralysis of all four limbs and loss of control over the muscles involved in breathing.

Most frequently the cause is an injury that either completely severs the spinal cord or damages some of the nervous tissue in the cord. Such damage could result from broken vertebrae that press against the cord. Diseases that cause paraplegia or quadriplegia include spinal tuberculosis, syphilis, spinal tumors, multiple sclerosis, and poliomyelitis. Sometimes when the disease is treated and cured, the paralysis disappears, but usually the nerve damage is irreparable and paralysis is permanent. Treatment of paraplegia and quadriplegia is aimed at helping to compensate for the paralysis by means of mechanical devices and through psychological and physical therapy.

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"paraplegia." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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paraplegia

par·a·ple·gi·a / ˌparəˈplēj(ē)ə/ • n. paralysis of the legs and lower body, typically caused by spinal injury or disease. DERIVATIVES: par·a·ple·gic / -jik/ adj. & n.

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"paraplegia." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"paraplegia." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 13, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-paraplegia.html

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paraplegia

paraplegia (pa-ră-plee-jiă) n. paralysis of both legs, usually due to disease or injury of the spinal cord. It is often accompanied by loss of sensation below the level of the injury and disturbed bladder function.
paraplegic adj., n.

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"paraplegia." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"paraplegia." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 13, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-paraplegia.html

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paraplegia

paraplegia Paralysis of both legs. It is usually due to spinal cord injury, and often accompanied by loss of sensation below the site of the damage.

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"paraplegia." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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paraplegia

paraplegia partial paralysis. XVII. — Gr. paraplēgíā, f. paraplḗssein, f. PARA-1 + plḗssein strike; see -IA1.

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T. F. HOAD. "paraplegia." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "paraplegia." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 13, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-paraplegia.html

T. F. HOAD. "paraplegia." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 13, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-paraplegia.html

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paraplegia

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"paraplegia." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

LIVING WITH PARAPLEGIA: Tensions and Contradictions
Magazine article from: Health and Social Work; 8/1/2004
Living with paraplegia: tensions and contradictions.
Magazine article from: Health and Social Work; 8/1/2004
Duffy & Duffy Secures $19.2 Million Verdict in Paraplegia Case.
News Wire article from: PR Newswire; 7/20/2009

Facts and information from other sites

paraplegia images
paraplegia. (Image by Luis Miguel Bugallo Sánchez, CC)