Thorax: bronchopulmonary segments: 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 · Thorax: bronchopulmonary segments

Sample item

A surgeon plans a segmentectomy for a small lesion confined to one bronchopulmonary segment and wants to separate it from its neighbours along a natural plane. Which structures run in the intersegmental planes and mark this dissection?

AThe segmental bronchusBTributaries of the pulmonary veinsCThe bronchial arteriesDThe segmental branch of the pulmonary artery

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Tributaries of the pulmonary veins

Each bronchopulmonary segment has its own segmental bronchus and segmental pulmonary artery branch at its centre, with its own connective tissue. The pulmonary vein tributaries run in the connective tissue septa between segments, which guide the intersegmental plane at surgery.

Option by option

A. The segmental bronchus
The segmental bronchus lies at the centre of the segment, not between segments.
B. Tributaries of the pulmonary veins (correct)
Correct. Veins lie between segments and drain adjacent segments.
C. The bronchial arteries
The bronchial arteries follow the airway walls and are not the landmark of the segmental plane.
D. The segmental branch of the pulmonary artery
The segmental artery accompanies the bronchus at the centre of the segment.

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.

Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is B, Tributaries of the pulmonary veins. Each bronchopulmonary segment has its own segmental bronchus and segmental pulmonary artery branch at its centre, with its own connective tissue.

Why is "The segmental bronchus" not the answer?

The segmental bronchus lies at the centre of the segment, not between segments.

Why is "The bronchial arteries" not the answer?

The bronchial arteries follow the airway walls and are not the landmark of the segmental plane.

Why is "The segmental branch of the pulmonary artery" not the answer?

The segmental artery accompanies the bronchus at the centre of the segment.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thorax: bronchopulmonary segments in Anatomy. The pulmonary vein tributaries run in the connective tissue septa between segments, which guide the intersegmental plane at surgery.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Thorax: bronchopulmonary segments?

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.