Hemiplegia is defined as which of the following?

• A. Bilateral paralysis
• B. Partial weakness on both sides
• C. One-sided paralysis
• D. Complete body paralysis

Answer: (C)

Understanding the term hemiplegia hinges on the roots hemi and plegia. Hemi means half and plegia means paralysis, so hemiplegia refers to paralysis on one side of the body. This is usually due to a brain event or injury that affects the motor pathways on one hemisphere, producing paralysis on the opposite side of the body. So the description that fits is one-sided paralysis. The other options describe paralysis on both sides, weakness on both sides, or paralysis of the entire body, which do not fit this term.