-plegia

The combining form -plegia is used like a suffix meaning “paralysis, cessation (stopping) of motion.” It is often used in medical terms, especially in pathology.

The form -plegia comes from Greek plēgḗ, meaning “blow” or “stroke.”

What are variants of -plegia?

When combined with words or word elements to denote the adjective form of the word, -plegia becomes -plegic, as in paraplegic.

One example of a term that features the combining form -plegia is paraplegia, “paralysis of both lower limbs due to spinal disease or injury.” Paraplegia comes from the Greek paraplēgía, which uses the equivalent of the form -plegia.

The prefix para- means “to the one side of,” while -plegia means “paralysis.” Paraplegia literally translates to “paralysis on one side.”

What are some words that use the combining form -plegia?

• blepharoplegia
• cardioplegia
• facioplegia
• monoplegia
• phrenoplegia
• polyplegia
• quadriplegia

What are some other forms that -plegia may be commonly confused with?

• -plasia
• -plast
• -plex

The combining form blepharo- means “eyelid.” With this in mind, what kind of medical condition is blepharoplegia?