decorticate posture


decorticate posture

Neurology A posture caused by diffuse and severe cortical dysfunction, seen in a deep coma, where primitive reflex posturing prevails after the loss of higher cortical control; DP is characterized by fisted hands, arms flexed on the chest, extended legs, often in response to painful stimuli, which indicates midbrain dysfunction. Cf Decerebrate posture.

decorticate posture

A rigid posture of flexed arms, clenched fists, and extended legs. It is the characteristic posture of a patient with a lesion at or above the upper brainstem. Synonym: decorticate rigiditySee also: posture