Which abnormal posture involves arms and legs held straight, toes pointed downward, and the head and neck arched backwards?

Which abnormal posture involves arms and legs held straight, toes pointed downward, and the head and neck arched backwards?

• A. Decorticate posturing
• B. Focal neuro deficit
• C. Decerebrate posturing
• D. DTRs

Answer: (C)

Decerebrate posturing signals brainstem involvement after a severe brain injury. The described position—arms and legs extended, toes pointed downward, head and neck arched backward—shows a generalized extension pattern with the head arched, reflecting unopposed brainstem activity driving extension of all limbs. This is a worse sign than decorticate posturing, which features flexion of the arms toward the body with different limb positioning. DTRs are reflexes, not a fixed posture, and a focal neuro deficit refers to localized impairment rather than this global extension pattern.

Decerebrate posturing signals brainstem involvement after a severe brain injury. The described position—arms and legs extended, toes pointed downward, head and neck arched backward—shows a generalized extension pattern with the head arched, reflecting unopposed brainstem activity driving extension of all limbs. This is a worse sign than decorticate posturing, which features flexion of the arms toward the body with different limb positioning. DTRs are reflexes, not a fixed posture, and a focal neuro deficit refers to localized impairment rather than this global extension pattern.