What is the paralysis of one side of the body?

The correct answer refers to hemiplegia, which specifically describes paralysis that affects one side of the body. This condition typically occurs as a result of brain injury or conditions that impact the nervous system, such as a stroke. In hemiplegia, individuals may experience loss of movement and sensation on either the left or right side, depending on which hemisphere of the brain is affected.

Understanding the other terms can provide clarity on their differences: quadriplegia refers to paralysis affecting all four limbs, generally resulting from spinal cord injury or disease; paraplegia is the paralysis of the lower half of the body, usually involving the legs, often due to spine-related issues; and monoplegia indicates paralysis of a single limb or part of the body. These definitions highlight how hemiplegia uniquely involves one side of the body's overall function, distinguishing it from the other types of paralysis listed.