What type of paralysis affects the entire body?

Tetraplegia, also known as quadriplegia, is the type of paralysis that affects all four limbs and the torso. This means that individuals with tetraplegia experience a loss of function and sensation in both their arms and legs, as well as in the areas of the body controlled by the spinal cord segments below the injury site. This condition usually arises from a spinal cord injury at the cervical level, which affects all the nerve pathways responsible for voluntary movement and sensation in the body.

In contrast, hemiparesis refers specifically to weakness on one side of the body, which is commonly seen in conditions such as stroke. Diplegia typically implies paralysis affecting symmetrical parts of the body, often seen in cases involving brain injury or conditions like cerebral palsy but primarily affects the legs. Hemiplegia indicates complete paralysis on one side of the body but does not involve the entire body. Therefore, tetraplegia is distinguished by its comprehensive impact across the whole body, making it the correct answer.