Definition

Describing a state where the brain's higher functions are absent or removed, often leading to a lack of intelligence or reasoning.

Example

The patient exhibited decerebrate posturing after the severe brain injury.

Conversation

I watched a documentary about brain injuries last night.

That sounds intense! What was it about?

They talked about how some people can end up in a decerebrate state after severe trauma.

Wow, I can't imagine what that must be like for them.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

A person or animal that has had their brain removed or is lacking brain function, often resulting in a specific posture or movement.

Example

The decerebrate animal showed unusual reflexes and movements due to the absence of brain activity.

Conversation

Did you hear about the study on decerebrate animals?

Yeah, it sounds pretty intense. What did they find?

They were looking at how those animals react to stimuli without brain activity.

Definition

To remove or disable the brain's higher functions, usually for scientific research or experimentation, often involving the removal of the cerebrum or cutting the brain stem.

Example

Researchers decided to decerebrate the animal to study its reflexes without higher brain functions.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Have you ever heard of the term decerebrate in animal studies?

Yeah, I think it has to do with removing parts of the brain, right?

Exactly! They do it to study certain brain functions.

Root Explanation

Decerebrate is formed from "de-" (meaning down or away) and "cerebrum" (from Latin, meaning brain). The term describes the act of removing or damaging the brain's function, particularly in a medical context where brain activity is suppressed or absent.

Memory Tip

Think of 'down' ('de-') and 'brain' ('cerebrum') to remember that decerebrate refers to a condition where brain function is diminished or absent.

Visually Confused Words