Abdomen and pelvis: liver 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 · Abdomen and pelvis: liver segments

Sample item

A patient has a solitary metastasis confined to the part of the left liver lying to the left of the falciform ligament. A left lateral sectionectomy is planned. Which Couinaud segments will be removed?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Segments II and III

The Couinaud classification divides the liver into eight functional segments, each with its own portal pedicle and hepatic venous drainage. The falciform ligament separates the left lateral section (segments II and III) from the left medial section (segment IV). Segments V to VIII form the right lobe, divided by the right hepatic vein.

Option by option

  • A. Segments IVa and IVb

    Segment IV is the left medial section, medial to the falciform ligament.

  • B. Segments V and VI

    Segments V and VI are the inferior segments of the right lobe.

  • C. Segments II and III (correct)

    Correct. Segments II and III lie lateral to the falciform ligament.

  • D. Segments VII and VIII

    Segments VII and VIII are the superior segments of the right lobe.

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.

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Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is C, Segments II and III. The Couinaud classification divides the liver into eight functional segments, each with its own portal pedicle and hepatic venous drainage.

Why is "Segments IVa and IVb" not the answer?

Segment IV is the left medial section, medial to the falciform ligament.

Why is "Segments V and VI" not the answer?

Segments V and VI are the inferior segments of the right lobe.

Why is "Segments VII and VIII" not the answer?

Segments VII and VIII are the superior segments of the right lobe.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Abdomen and pelvis: liver segments in Anatomy. The falciform ligament separates the left lateral section (segments II and III) from the left medial section (segment IV). Segments V to VIII form the right lobe, divided by the right hepatic vein.

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 Abdomen and pelvis: liver 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.