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Damage at the cervical level of the spinal cord most commonly results in tetraplegia (sometimes referred to as quadriplegia). This occurs because the cervical spinal cord is responsible for controlling motor and sensory functions in all four limbs. When there is injury at this level, it interrupts the signals being sent from the brain to these areas, leading to impairment or total loss of movement and sensation in the arms, legs, and trunk.

Tetraplegia can vary in severity depending on the extent and location of the injury within the cervical spine. A complete injury at this level results in total loss of function below the point of injury, while an incomplete injury may allow for some retained function.

In contrast, paraplegia specifically refers to paralysis affecting only the lower half of the body, typically resulting from damage to the thoracic or lumbar regions of the spinal cord rather than the cervical region. Paresis indicates a weakness in muscle control rather than complete paralysis and can occur at any level. Quadriplegia, while often used interchangeably with tetraplegia, is less specific in current terminology; the preferred term is tetraplegia when referring to the condition caused by cervical spinal injuries.