decerebrate posture(redirected from Abnormal posturing)
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Etymology: L, de + cerebrum, brain, ponere to place
the position of a patient, who is usually comatose, in which the arms are extended and internally rotated and the legs are extended with the feet in forced plantar flexion. It is usually observed in patients afflicted by compression of the brainstem at a low level. Also called decerebrate rigidity.
decerebrate postureExtensor posturing Neurology A clinical state characterized by hyperextension of extremities, pronation of arms and hyperflexion of hands; DP in humans implies tentorial herniation, often associated with paralysis of the contralateral 3rd cranial nerve. Cf Decorticate posture.
A rigid posture of stiff, extended arms, pronated forearms, and exaggerated deep tendon reflexes. It is a posture of a patient who has lost cerebral control of spinal reflexes, usually as a result of an intracranial catastrophe.
See also: posture