Decorticate and Decerebrate Rigidity – Mnemonics

Rubrospinal tract mediates flexor of the upper arm.

Here is a way to remember these two postures and never forget again.

Decerebrate has more “E” and more “R”.

1. Extended upper limbs
2. Rubrospinal tract transected (Red nucleus is above the level of lesion, i.e. below midbrain level)

Decorticate has “COR”.

1. Upper limbs are brought towards CORE (i.e. flexed)
2. Loss of CORTICAL inhibition of red nucleus (rubro-spinal tract), i.e. tonic discharge from red nucleus.

Lower limb in extended and plantar flexed in both the cases.