What is the medical term for paralysis of the lower portion of the body and both legs?

The medical term for paralysis of the lower portion of the body and both legs is paraplegia. This condition specifically refers to the loss of movement and sensation in the legs and lower body, typically resulting from spinal cord injuries or certain diseases affecting the spinal cord. Paraplegia is distinct from other forms of paralysis because it does not affect the arms, which remain functional.

Quadriplegia involves paralysis of all four limbs and often includes loss of control over the trunk, making it a different and more severe condition than paraplegia. Hemiplegia refers to paralysis affecting one side of the body, typically as a result of a stroke, and is not limited to just the legs. Monoplegia signifies paralysis that affects only one limb, which could be an arm or a leg but does not encompass both legs or the lower body as a whole. Thus, paraplegia is the most accurate term for the paralysis being described in the question.