The position of a person who is lying down.
Reclining position, as in a bed.
Decubitus refers to the immobile positions taken up in bed by patients suffering from various conditions such as pneumonia, peritonitis, or severe exhaustion. Such patients are liable to develop bed sores, or ulcer decubitus.
An ulcer (sore) of the skin resulting from pressure and lack of movement such as occurs when a person is limited to bed or requires a wheelchair for mobility. The ulcers occur most frequently in areas where the bone lies directly under the skin, such as elbow, hip, or over the coccyx (tailbone). A decubitus ulcer may become infected and cause general worsening of the person’s health.