What type of spinal cord injury results in loss of sensory and motor function in all limbs?

The condition characterized by loss of sensory and motor function in all limbs is tetraplegia, also known as quadriplegia. This type of spinal cord injury usually occurs due to damage at the cervical (neck) level of the spinal cord, affecting all four limbs (both arms and legs) because the injury interrupts the communication pathways in the nervous system that control movement and sensation.

In the context of spinal cord injuries, it's important to understand how they differ based on the affected regions and the number of limbs involved. Hemiplegia refers to paralysis affecting one side of the body, thereby only impacting an arm and a leg on the same side. Paraplegia results from damage to the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral regions of the spinal cord, leading to loss of function in the lower limbs but leaving the upper limbs unaffected, while monoplegia affects only one limb. Tetraplegia is distinct as it encompasses the loss of function in all limbs, thereby significantly impacting the individual's mobility and overall function.