Decorticate posturing is characterized by which of the following?

Decorticate posturing is classified as a type of abnormal body posture that typically indicates severe brain injury or dysfunction. It is characterized by bilateral flexion at the elbows, which is a critical part of the motor response. In this posture, the arms are flexed and held close to the body, with the wrists and fingers flexed as well. The legs may also be extended or internally rotated, but the defining feature is the flexion at the elbow joint.

This characteristic is indicative of damage to specific neural pathways in the brain, particularly those that connect the cerebral cortex to the spinal cord. When the brain experiences injury or altered function, the normal motor responses can become impaired, leading to decorticate posturing. Therefore, recognizing this posture can be significant in assessing the level of neurological function in a patient.