Decerebrate posture

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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.

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.

• 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: 04/28/2005
Reviewed By: Chitra R. Uppaluri, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.