decerebrate posture [L, de + cerebrum, brain, ponere, to place] , the position of a patient, who is usually comatose, in which the arms are extended and internally rotated and the legs are extended with the feet in forced plantar flexion. It is usually observed in patients afflicted by compression of the brainstem at a low level. It may also be observed in children with brainstem damage. Also called decerebrate rigidity.
