Decerebrate posture

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Overview

Treatment

Decerebrate posture

Definition:

Decerebrate posture is an abnormal body posture indicated by rigid extension of the arms and legs, downward pointing of the toes, and backward arching of the head. A severe injury to the brain at the level of the brainstem is the usual cause.

Considerations:

Opisthotonos (a severe muscle spasm of the neck and back) may accompany decerebrate posture in severe cases.

Usually, decerebrate posture indicates deterioration of the structures of the nervous system, particularly the upper brain stem.

Decerebrate posture occurs in many patterns. It can occur on one side, on both sides, or in just the arms. It may alternate with decorticate posture (abnormal posturing due to corticospinal tract injury), or a person can have decorticate posture on one side and decerebrate posture on the other.

Common Causes:

Cerebral infarction (stroke)
Intracranial hemorrhage
Primary brain tumor
Secondary brain tumor
Encephalopathy
Head injury
Increased intracranial pressure from any cause
Brain stem tumor
Hepatic encephalopathy

Review Date: 4/28/2005
Reviewed By: Chitra R. Uppaluri, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.