Definition of Decerebrate posture:

Decerebrate posture is an abnormal body posture that involves the arms and legs being held straight out, the toes being pointed downward, and the head and neck being arched backwards. The muscles are tightened and held rigidly. This type of posturing usually means there has been severe damage to the brain.

Considerations:

A severe injury to the brain is the usual cause of decerebrate posture.

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

Decerebrate posture can occur on one side, on both sides, or in just the arms. It may alternate with decorticate posture. A person can also have decorticate posture on one side of the body and decerebrate posture on the other side.

Common Causes:

• Bleeding in the brain from any cause (intracranial hemorrhage)
• Brain stem tumor
• Cerebral infarction (stroke)
• Encephalopathy (brain problem due to drugs, poisoning, or infection)
• Head injury
• Hepatic encephalopathy (brain problem due to liver failure)
• Increased pressure in the brain from any cause
• Primary brain tumor
• Secondary brain tumor