What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hemiplegia
Example
The patient suffered from hemiplegia after a stroke. [hemiplegia: noun]
Example
She had difficulty moving her arm due to hemiplegia. [hemiplegia: noun]
paralysis
Example
The accident left him with paralysis in his legs. [paralysis: noun]
Example
She was paralyzed from the waist down after the injury. [paralyzed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Paralysis is more commonly used than hemiplegia in everyday language. Paralysis is a broader term that covers a wider range of conditions, while hemiplegia is a specific type of paralysis that affects only one side of the body.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hemiplegia and paralysis?
Both hemiplegia and paralysis are formal medical terms that are typically used in professional or medical contexts.