What condition describes paralysis below the neck?

The condition that describes paralysis below the neck is quadriplegia. This condition, also known as tetraplegia, results from an injury to the spinal cord that leads to loss of motor and sensory function in all four limbs and typically includes the trunk as well. In quadriplegia, the paralysis affects both the upper and lower parts of the body, resulting from damage often occurring at the cervical level of the spinal cord.

Hemiplegia refers to paralysis on one side of the body, typically resulting from a stroke or neurological condition. Paraplegia describes paralysis that affects only the lower half of the body, usually due to injury or disease affecting the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral regions of the spinal cord. Monoplegia indicates paralysis of a single limb.

Understanding these distinctions helps clarify the specific areas of paralysis and their implications for treatment and rehabilitation in various conditions.