Question:medium
Which of the following is true about decorticate rigidity?
Which of the following is true about decorticate rigidity?
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Intact basal ganglia mean milder tone than in the decerebrate state.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
- Removal of cerebral cortex and basal ganglia
- Flexion of lower limbs and extension of upper limbs
- Rigidity is less pronounced than decerebrate rigidity
- None of the above
Show Solution
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Compare the two classic rigidity states. Decerebrate rigidity follows a brainstem (midcollicular) section and shows extension of all four limbs with severe hypertonia.
Step 2: Decorticate rigidity follows loss of the cerebral cortex while the basal ganglia and rubrospinal tract stay functional. The upper limbs flex (elbows bent) and the lower limbs extend.
Step 3: Because the rubrospinal pathway is preserved and the basal ganglia remain, the overall tone increase is milder than in the decerebrate state.
Step 4: Screening the options, (a) wrongly removes basal ganglia and (b) wrongly flexes the legs, leaving only the statement that decorticate rigidity is less pronounced than decerebrate rigidity. \[\boxed{\text{Rigidity is less pronounced than decerebrate rigidity}}\]
Step 2: Decorticate rigidity follows loss of the cerebral cortex while the basal ganglia and rubrospinal tract stay functional. The upper limbs flex (elbows bent) and the lower limbs extend.
Step 3: Because the rubrospinal pathway is preserved and the basal ganglia remain, the overall tone increase is milder than in the decerebrate state.
Step 4: Screening the options, (a) wrongly removes basal ganglia and (b) wrongly flexes the legs, leaving only the statement that decorticate rigidity is less pronounced than decerebrate rigidity. \[\boxed{\text{Rigidity is less pronounced than decerebrate rigidity}}\]
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