Anesthesia involves total loss of sensation; what is the term for partial loss of sensation?

The term for partial loss of sensation is "paresthesia." This refers to sensations such as tingling, prickling, or numbness that occur when there is involvement of the sensory nerves but not a complete loss. Paresthesia can often result from nerve compression or damage and can resolve on its own or indicate an underlying issue.

In contrast, paraplegia refers to the paralysis of the lower half of the body, typically caused by spinal cord injury or disease. Paresis indicates weakness or partial loss of voluntary movement, rather than sensation. Paralysis is the complete inability to move a part of the body and is not specific to sensation. This distinction is critical in understanding the relationship between movement, sensation, and the underlying conditions affecting them.