Decerebrate rigidity (DR) in humans results from a midbrain lesion and is manifested by an exaggerated extensor posture of all extremities. It is characterized by shortening and lengthening reactions and can be modified by tonic neck, labyrinthine (Magnus-de Kleijn), and phasic spinal reflexes.

What causes decerebrate rigidity?

Decerebrate rigidity (DR) in humans results from a midbrain lesion and is manifested by an exaggerated extensor posture of all extremities. It is characterized by shortening and lengthening reactions and can be modified by tonic neck, labyrinthine (Magnus-de Kleijn), and phasic spinal reflexes.

What is decerebrate rigidity?

Also known as extensor posturing, decerebrate rigidity is a term that describes the involuntary extensor positioning of the arms, flexion of the hands, with knee extension and plantar flexion when stimulated as a result of a midbrain lesion.

What causes decerebrate and Decorticate posturing?

Causes of decorticate posture include: Bleeding in the brain from any cause. Brain stem tumor. Stroke.

When does decerebrate posturing occur?

Decerebrate posturing indicates brain stem damage, specifically damage below the level of the red nucleus (e.g. mid-collicular lesion). It is exhibited by people with lesions or compression in the midbrain and lesions in the cerebellum. Decerebrate posturing is commonly seen in pontine strokes.

What is 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 backward. The muscles are tightened and held rigidly. This type of posturing usually means there has been severe damage to the brain.

What is Decorticate and decerebrate posturing?

Decorticate and decerebrate posturing are abnormal posturing responses typically to noxious stimuli. They involve stereotypical movements of the trunk and extremities. To avoid the high morbidity and mortality associated with these conditions, it must be promptly diagnosed and treated.

What is decerebrate posturing indicative of?

What part of the brain is damaged with decerebrate posturing?

Decerebrate posturing is caused by damage to deeper brain structures, including the midbrain, pons, and diencephalon. Of the two types of abnormal posturing that may occur after a traumatic brain injury, decerebrate posturing is much more common.

What is Decorticate rigidity?

[de-kor´tĭ-kāt] abnormal flexor posturing of the limbs, indicative of a lesion in the cerebral hemispheres or disruption of the corticospinal tracts.

  Also known as extensor posturing, decerebrate rigidity is a term that describes the involuntary extensor positioning of the arms, flexion of the hands, with knee extension and plantar flexion when stimulated as a result of a midbrain lesion.[1] 

What is the pathophysiology of decorticate and decerebrate posturing?

Pathophysiology Typically, the anatomical divide associated with decorticate and decerebrate posturing is the intercollicular line at the level of the red nucleus. However, this concept has been criticized as lesions in the supratentorial region can also cause both decorticate and decerebrate posturing, though the brainstem is typically involved.

What is the pathophysiology of asthma?

Conclusion: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder arising from not fully understood heterogenic gene-environment interactions. It features variable airway obstruction and bronchial hyperresponsiveness.

What is decerebrate rigid posture (opisthotonos posture)?

A severe muscle spasticity or rigidity of the neck and back may occur in severe cases of decerebrate rigid posture also called Opisthotonos posture.