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Paralysis - the loss of muscle power
A guide for patients and carers
What is paralysis?
Paralysis is the loss of the power to move a part of the body due to injury or disease of the nerves that supply the muscles involved in moving that part of the body.
The key points in this definition are firstly that, strictly speaking, paralysis refers to a loss of movement rather than just weakness, and secondly that the problem originates in the nerves to the muscles rather than in the muscles themselves. However, doctors often fail to stick to this rule and frequently use paralysis to describe a very weak limb that is capable of some movement. They also occasionally talk about paralysis due to diseases of the muscles rather than the nerves.
The severity of the paralysis is indicated in medical terminology by the word endings: plegia and paresis. Plegia signifies loss of power, i.e. true paralysis; while paresis refers to a significant weakening of the affected muscle(s). The part or parts of the body which are paralysed (-plegic) or very weak (-paretic) are identified in medical terms by the part of the word that comes in front of the ‘-plegia’ or ‘-paresis.’
When only one limb is involved the condition is referred to as monoplegia or monoparesis. If the arm and leg on the same side of the body are affected the term hemiplegia or hemiparesis are used. When both legs are paralysed it is referred to as paraplegia or paraparesis. Paralysis of all four limbs may be called tetraplegia/paresis or quadriplegia/paresis, or occasionally diplegia.
Another term occasionally used, but meaning the same as paralysis, is palsy. Damage to the nerves supplying the muscles of the face is described as facial palsy. Cerebral palsy is paralysis that is the result of damage to the brain (or cerebrum).
The severity of the paralysis is indicated in medical terminology by the word endings: plegia and paresis. Plegia signifies loss of power, i.e. true paralysis; while paresis refers to a significant weakening of the affected muscle(s). The part or parts of the body which are paralysed (-plegic) or very weak (-paretic) are identified in medical terms by the part of the word that comes in front of the ‘-plegia’ or ‘-paresis.’
When only one limb is involved the condition is referred to as monoplegia or monoparesis. If the arm and leg on the same side of the body are affected the term hemiplegia or hemiparesis are used. When both legs are paralysed it is referred to as paraplegia or paraparesis. Paralysis of all four limbs may be called tetraplegia/paresis or quadriplegia/paresis, or occasionally diplegia.
Another term occasionally used, but meaning the same as paralysis, is palsy. Damage to the nerves supplying the muscles of the face is described as facial palsy. Cerebral palsy is paralysis that is the result of damage to the brain (or cerebrum).
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