Definition of paralysis Paralysis

/pɚæˈlʌsʌs/ - [peratlusus] - pa•ral•y•sis

We found 5 definitions of paralysis from 5 different sources.

What does paralysis mean?

Noun Plural: paralyses
paralysis - loss of the ability to move a body part
		palsy
		disfunction, dysfunction (medicine) any disturbance in the functioning of an organ or body part or a disturbance in the functioning of a social group; "erectile dysfunction"; "sexual relationship dysfunction"
		akinesia, akinesis motionlessness attributable to a temporary paralysis
		alalia paralysis of the vocal cords resulting in an inability to speak
		cystoparalysis, cystoplegia paralysis of the urinary bladder
		diplegia paralysis of corresponding parts on both sides of the body
		erb's palsy, erb-duchenne paralysis paralysis of the arm resulting from injury to the brachial plexus (usually during childbirth)
		monoplegia paralysis of a single limb
		ophthalmoplegia paralysis of the motor nerves of the eye
		paresis a slight or partial paralysis
		paraplegia paralysis of the lower half of the body (most often as a result of trauma)
		hemiplegia, unilateral paralysis paralysis of one side of the body

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paralysis (Noun)
The complete loss of voluntary control of part of person's body, such as one or more limbs.

paralysis (n.)
Abolition of function, whether complete or partial; esp., the loss of the power of voluntary motion, with or without that of sensation, in any part of the body; palsy. See Hemiplegia, and Paraplegia. Also used figuratively.

Paralysis is the complete loss of muscle function for one or more muscle groups, when the thing that is paralised can't move.

Paralysis is most often caused by damage to the nervous system or brain, especially the spinal cord. Major causes are stroke, trauma, poliomyelitis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), botulism, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Partial paralysis can also occur in the REM stage of sleep (see:Sleep paralysis). Paralysis often includes loss of feeling in the affected area.