Decerebrate State

Synonyms

Decerebrate Posturing

Decerebrate Posturings

Decerebrate Rigidity

Decerebrate States

Decorticate Rigidities

Decorticate Rigidity

Decorticate State

Decorticate States

Posturing, Decerebrate

Posturings, Decerebrate

Rigidities, Decorticate

Rigidity, Decerebrate

Rigidity, Decorticate

State, Decerebrate

States, Decerebrate

A condition characterized by abnormal posturing of the limbs that is associated with injury to the brainstem. This may occur as a clinical manifestation or induced experimentally in animals. The extensor reflexes are exaggerated leading to rigid extension of the limbs accompanied by hyperreflexia and opisthotonus. This condition is usually caused by lesions which occur in the region of the brainstem that lies between the red nuclei and the vestibular nuclei. In contrast, decorticate rigidity is characterized by flexion of the elbows and wrists with extension of the legs and feet. The causative lesion for this condition is located above the red nuclei and usually consists of diffuse cerebral damage. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p358)