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Glite Dictionary
diplegia

diplegia

9.8
Loss of movement in the same parts on both sides of the body, usually the legs
  • noun
  • /dɪˈpliːdʒə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : diplegia
  • Fetal malnutrition has also been found to be a predisposing factor to the development of handicaps, including spastic diplegia, seizures, visual problems, learning disabilities, or mental retardation at a later age.
  • spastic diplegia

Examples

  • "Here, B.O. has claimed a single injury: cerebral palsy consisting of spastic diplegia," Justice Massa wrote in delivering the opinion of the Court.

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  • Children with diplegia often face challenges in walking and balancing due to paralysis in both legs.

  • After being diagnosed with diplegia, she required physical therapy to regain mobility in her legs.

  • The doctor explained that diplegia affects the same parts of the body on both sides, making movement difficult.

Synonyms

paralysis
vsdiplegia
81 5.4

Loss of movement and feeling in all or part of the body

affects matching parts on both sides rather than a general loss of movement
palsy
vsdiplegia
  • Specialized
30 8.4

A condition that makes part of the body weak or unable to move

affects matching parts on both sides rather than being any muscle control condition
paraplegia
vsdiplegia
  • Specialized
2 7.5

Loss of movement and feeling in the lower half of the body after a spinal cord injury

affects matching parts on both sides rather than the entire lower half

How Many Limbs

quadriplegia
  • Specialized
1 8.3
paraplegia
  • Specialized
2 7.5
diplegia
  • Specialized
9.8
hemiplegia
  • Specialized
9.8

Surface Forms

diplegia singular
diplegias plural

Morphology

diplegia = di + plegia

The parts are Greek medical combining forms (di- + -plegia) that are not standalone English words, so learners cannot reliably infer the meaning from the components.

Etymology

The word diplegia comes from Greek parts di- meaning 'two' and -plegia meaning 'a strike' or 'paralysis', and you see the same -plegia in paraplegia and hemiplegia. So, diplegia means paralysis of two matching parts of the body, usually both legs.