Peritoneum: practice question

A Anatomy question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Anatomy · Peritoneum

Sample item

A trauma patient lying supine on the ultrasound table has free intraperitoneal blood. In which space does it collect first because it is the most dependent part of the supine peritoneal cavity?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Hepatorenal pouch (Morison's pouch)

In the supine position, the hepatorenal pouch between the liver and the right kidney is the lowest part of the peritoneal cavity. Free fluid collects here, which is why it is checked first on a FAST scan.

Option by option

  • A. Lesser sac

    The lesser sac is a closed recess behind the stomach and fills late, through a narrow foramen.

  • B. Left subphrenic space

    The left subphrenic space lies high under the diaphragm and is not dependent when the patient is lying flat.

  • C. Rectouterine pouch

    The rectouterine pouch is the most dependent recess when the patient is upright, not supine.

  • D. Hepatorenal pouch (Morison's pouch) (correct)

    Correct. This pouch is the deepest recess in the supine position, so free blood pools there.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Anatomy questions

Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is D, Hepatorenal pouch (Morison's pouch). In the supine position, the hepatorenal pouch between the liver and the right kidney is the lowest part of the peritoneal cavity.

Why is "Lesser sac" not the answer?

The lesser sac is a closed recess behind the stomach and fills late, through a narrow foramen.

Why is "Left subphrenic space" not the answer?

The left subphrenic space lies high under the diaphragm and is not dependent when the patient is lying flat.

Why is "Rectouterine pouch" not the answer?

The rectouterine pouch is the most dependent recess when the patient is upright, not supine.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Peritoneum in Anatomy. Free fluid collects here, which is why it is checked first on a FAST scan.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Peritoneum?

Learn every nerve by its route, its muscles and what a lesion looks like at the bedside. That one habit answers a large share of questions. Then use the flashcards and the other Anatomy questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.