What is the medical term for paralysis in the arms, legs, and trunk?

The medical term for paralysis affecting the arms, legs, and trunk is quadriplegia. This condition involves the loss of function in all four limbs—both arms and both legs—along with potential dysfunction in the trunk. Quadriplegia typically results from injuries or conditions affecting the spinal cord in the cervical region, where the nerves that control the upper and lower extremities are located.

In contrast, the other terms refer to different patterns of paralysis. Paraplegia pertains specifically to the paralysis of the lower half of the body, which includes both legs and possibly the lower trunk, but it does not impact the arms. Hemiplegia refers to paralysis on one side of the body, affecting either an arm and a leg on that side, and is commonly associated with stroke or brain injury. Monoplegia indicates paralysis of just one limb (either an arm or a leg). Understanding these distinctions clarifies why quadriplegia is the correct term for the described condition involving paralysis in the arms, legs, and trunk.