This document discusses medical suffixes related to paralysis and speech disorders. The suffix -plegia indicates paralysis and can refer to quadriplegia (paralysis of all four limbs), monoplegia (paralysis of a single limb), or hemiplegia (paralysis of one side of the body). The suffix -phasia refers to an inability to communicate verbally and can describe aphasia (inability to speak) or dysphasia (difficulties swallowing or speaking due to damage in the throat or esophagus). Examples of conditions with each suffix are provided.

1. Chapter 12
Presentation of the Nervous System
Suffixes

2. Suffix: -plegia
The suffix -plegia means paralysis. Paralysis
pertains to the complete loss of movement
and strength in a designated area of a limb or
muscle group.

3. Examples:
Quadriplegia- also known as tetraplegia paralysis
commonly caused by an injury or illness that
occurred resulting in the partial or complete loss
of a humans limbs or torso.
Monoplegia- is when a certain limb or body region
has been affected by paralysis.
Hemiplegia- is when only half of the body is
affected by paralysis. It is less common because it
can be caused by disease as well as injury.

4. Suffix: -phasia
The suffix -phasia means a specific disorder
that affects the ability to speak, eat or
swallow.

5. Examples:
Dysphasia- pertains to the loss or the inability to
speak or swallow due to damage of the throat or
esophagus. Dysphasia can also be associated with
neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease
or a stroke.
Aphasia- is the complete inability to communicate
verbally and is commonly caused by a stroke that
affects the part of the brain that controls your
language.

6. Citations:
“What is Aphasia? | Learn About the Different Types of Aphasia.” Lingraphica, 2017,
www.aphasia.com/what-is-aphasia/.
“What Is Quadriplegia and Paraplegia?” Disabled World, Disabled World, 2004,
www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/article_0082.shtml.
“Swallowing Problems.” WebMD, WebMD, 2005, www.webmd.com/digestive-
disorders/swallowing-problems#1.