What is Tetraplegia?
[[File:Cervical vertebrae lateral2.png|thumb|Human [[cervical vertebrae]] (shown in red): from top to bottom, [[Atlas (anatomy)|C1]], C2, C3, C4, C5, C6 and C7]] '''Tetraplegia''' (or '''quadriplegia''') is a condition in which a human loses use of all [[limb]]s and the [[torso]]. It usually affects both the ability to move and the use of the [[sensory system|senses]]. ''Quadriplegia'' is the common term in [[North America]]. ''Tetraplegia'' is the term in [[Europe]]. Tetraplegia is caused by damage either to the [[brain]] or to the [[spinal cord]] at the level of the [[cervical vertebrae]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Quadriplegia|publisher=Apparelyzed|url=http://www.apparelyzed.com/quadriplegia.html|accessdate=Jan 31, 2015}}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> People with an injury at the [[Atlas (anatomy)|C1 vertebra]] may lose functions from the neck down. They may need a machine to breathe for them. People with injuries at the C7 vertebra may still be able to use their [[arm]]s and [[hand]]s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Quadriplegia|publisher=The Spinal Injury Network|url=http://www.spinal-injury.net/quadriplegia.htm|accessdate=Jan 31, 2015|archive-date=February 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219073922/http://www.spinal-injury.net/quadriplegia.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> ==References== <references/> [[Category:Disability]] [[Category:Disorders]] {{med-stub}}