Decerebrate rigidity

What it means

A type of rigidity that is manifested by an exaggerated extensor posture of all extremities.

Decerebrate rigidity results from release of vestibular nuclei from cerebral control because of a brainstem lesion (i.e., decerebration).

Rare diseases that can present with this11

The range is how often this sign appears among people diagnosed with each disease — it is not a probability of having any of them. Many of these signs also occur in common, non-rare conditions. A sign on this page is a conversation to have with a clinician, not a conclusion.

Part of the broader category

Also called: Decerebrate posturing