Decorticate Posturing Vs Decerebrate

Decerebrate posturing usually means there has been severe damage to the brain.

Decorticate posturing vs decerebrate. Decerebrate posturing where arms and legs are straight and rigid toes are pointed downward and head is arched backward. Decerebrate posturing is an abnormal body posture and it is defined the arms and legs being held straight out the toes being pointed downward and the head and neck being arched backward 3. Synonymous terms for decerebrate posturing include abnormal extension decerebrate rigidity extensor posturing or decerebrate response.

Decorticate vs decerebrate posturing. It is however accepted that decorticate typically requires an injury more rostral than decerebrate posturing. In most literature this level is considered the red nucleus at the intercollicular.

It may also indicate damage to the midbrain. Upper limbs are brought towards core i e. Tonic discharge from red nucleus.

There are a number of stories or systems in which medical students nursing students and paramedics can remember the difference between decorticate and decerebrate posturing. Decerebrate has more e and more r. Decerebrate posturing is slightly worse and indicates significant brain stem damages.

Rubrospinal tract transected red nucleus is above the level of lesion i e. Below midbrain level decorticate has cor. This is a type of flexed posturing and can indicate damage to the cerebral hemispheres.

These two types of posturing are abnormal and are associated with a brain injury. Flexed loss of cortical inhibition of red nucleus rubro spinal tract i e. It also discusses their potential causes disclaimers the information in this video only.