| decerebrate rigidity | <clinical sign, neurology> Spontaneous extension of elbows, wrists and legs which suggests damage to the diencephalon (midbrain). Seen in cases of stroke and some cases of encephalitis. The decerebrate reflex is a clinical finding characterised by rigid contraction of the extensor and other muscles which maintain an animal in the standing position (antigravity muscles), may be seen in association with a severe stroke, intracranial haemorrhage, cerebral haemorrhage, cerebral toxin or transection of the brain below the level of the anterior corpora quadrigemina but above the vestibular nuclei, clinically may be preceded by decortication. (27 Sep 1997) |
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| decorticate rigidity | A unilateral or bilateral postural change, consisting of the upper extremities flexed and adducted and the lower extremities in rigid extension; due to structural lesions of the thalamus, internal capsule, or cerebral white matter. Synonym: decorticate state. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ocular rigidity | The resistance offered by the eyeball to a change in intraocular volume; manifested as a change in intraocular pressure. (05 Mar 2000) |
| lead-pipe rigidity | The plastic type of rigidity resembling that of a pipe of lead seen in certain forms of parkinsonism. (05 Mar 2000) |