- Decerebrate posturing: neurologic damage at or below the midbrain
- Decorticate posturing: severe neurologic damage in the hemisphere above the midbrain; legs extended, feet plantar flexed and inwardly rotated, fists clenched
- Score ≤8 requires intubation
GCS Examples
- Eye movement only in response to pain (2), makes inappropriate sounds (2). Picture of decerebrate legs (2) = 6
- Withdraw from pain (4), no verbal (1), no eye opening (1) = 6
- Open eye in response to commands (3), inappropriate words (3), localizes pain (5) = 11
