Other Motor Pathway 4

Question 1

What is decorticate and decerebrate posturing?

Answer 1

• Abnormal posturing is common in a comatose patient, either spontaneously or in response to pain.
• The posture can give an indication of the site of the injury or the extent od the damage
• Decorticate posturing: upper limbs flexed and lower limbs extended
• Decerebrate posturing: upper and lower limbs are extended

Question 2

What is the effect of decorticate posturing?

Answer 2

• Decorticate posturing: upper limbs flexed and lower limbs extended
• Lesion above red nucleus

Fibers interrupted- only corticospinal and corticobukbar

Corticospinal- mainly flexion impaired

Corricobulbar- paralysis of motor CN

Question 3

What is decerebrate posturing?

Answer 3

• Decerebrate posturing: upper and lower limbs are extended
• Lesion below red nucleus

COrticospinal, corticobulbar, and rubrospinal affected

Corticospinal- mainly flexion impaired

Corricobulbar- paralysis of motor CN

Rubrospinal- no flexion of upper limbs