Which of the following describes decerebrate posturing?
A. Internal rotation and adduction of arms with flexion of elbows, wrists, and fingers.
B. Back hunched over, rigid flexion of all four extremities with supination of arms and plantar flexion of the feet.
C. Supination of arms, dorsiflexion of feet.
D. Back arched; rigid extension of all four extremities.
Correct Answer: D. Back arched; rigid extension of all four extremities.
Decerebrate posturing occurs in patients with damage to the upper brain stem, midbrain, or pons and is demonstrated clinically by the arching of the back, rigid extension of the extremities, pronation of the arms, and plantar flexion of the feet.
Option A: Internal rotation and adduction of arms with flexion of the elbows, wrists, and fingers described decorticate posturing, which indicates damage to corticospinal tracts and cerebral hemispheres.
Option B: Synonymous terms for decorticate posturing include abnormal flexion, decorticate rigidity, flexor posturing, or decorticate response. Decorticate posturing is described as abnormal flexion of the arms with the extension of the legs. Specifically, it involves slow flexion of the elbow, wrist, and fingers with adduction and internal rotation at the shoulder. The lower limbs show extension and internal rotation at the hip, with the extension of the knee and plantar flexion of the feet. Toes are typically abducted and hyperextended.
Option C: Synonymous terms for decerebrate posturing include abnormal extension, decerebrate rigidity, extensor posturing, or decerebrate response. Decerebrate posturing is described as adduction and internal rotation of the shoulder, extension at the elbows with pronation of the forearm, and flexion of the fingers. As with decorticate posturing, the lower limbs show extension and internal rotation at the hip, with the extension of the knee and plantar flexion of the feet. Toes are typically abducted and hyperextended.
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