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Abnormal Posturing
Definition Abnormal posturing is the tendency to assume a particular body position, or to move or hold one or more parts of the body in a particular way. Certain abnormal posturing behaviors can indicate specific injuries to the nervous system.
Overview & Considerations
Abnormal posturing is a sign of serious central nervous system damage.
Normally, when a muscle contracts, the muscles on the opposite side of the joint provide some resistance to contraction. Abnormal posturing occurs when damage to the central nervous system (brain or spinal cord) results in complete or partial lack of opposition to muscle contraction in various muscle groups.
See the following types of abnormal postures:
An affected person may alternate between different postures as the condition fluctuates.
Injury or inflammation of a portion of the brain, spinal cord, or nervous system is the most common cause of abnormal posturing. The particular type of posturing can reflect the type and area of nervous system involvement.
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Jump to another section
• Definition
• Abnormal Posturing: Overview & Considerations
• Abnormal Posturing: Common Causes
• Abnormal Posturing: Home Care & Treatment
• Call your Health Care Provider if
• What to Expect at your Health Care Provider's Office
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Brain Herniation
• Increased Intracranial Pressure
• Reye's Syndrome
Tests & Exams
• Cerebral Angiography
• Cranial CT Scan
• EEG
• Intracranial Pressure Monitoring
• Skull X-Ray
Other Topics
• Central Nervous System
• Consciousness - Decreased
• Decerebrate Posture
• Decorticate Posture
• Head Injury
• Opisthotonos
• Physical Examination
Review Date : 5/8/2003
Reviewed By : Elaine T. Kiriakopoulos, M.D., M.Sc., Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard University, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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