hemiplegia

paralysis of one side of the body; usually caused by a brain lesion, such as a tumor, or by stroke syndrome. The paralysis occurs on the side opposite the brain disorder; this is explained by the fact that motor axons from the cerebral cortex enter the medulla oblongata and form two well-defined bands known as the pyramidal tracts. The majority of the fibers in these tracts cross to the opposite side; therefore damage to the right cerebral hemisphere affects motor control of the left half of the body. See stroke syndrome for symptoms and care of the patient with hemiplegia. adj., adj hemiple´gic.