Abdomen: hepatobiliary triangle: 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: hepatobiliary triangle

Sample item

During laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the cystic artery is normally identified within the triangle bounded by the cystic duct, common hepatic duct and which structure?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Inferior surface of the liver

The hepatocystic (Calot) triangle is bounded by the cystic duct, common hepatic duct, and inferior liver surface. Careful identification helps avoid bile-duct injury before dividing cystic structures.

Option by option

  • A. Second part of the duodenum

    The second duodenum is not a boundary of the hepatocystic triangle.

  • B. Inferior surface of the liver (correct)

    Correct. The inferior liver surface completes the modern hepatocystic triangle.

  • C. Portal vein

    The portal vein lies posteriorly in the hepatoduodenal ligament, not as this triangle boundary.

  • D. Pancreatic head

    The pancreatic head is inferior and posterior to the biliary confluence.

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 B, Inferior surface of the liver. The hepatocystic (Calot) triangle is bounded by the cystic duct, common hepatic duct, and inferior liver surface.

Why is "Second part of the duodenum" not the answer?

The second duodenum is not a boundary of the hepatocystic triangle.

Why is "Portal vein" not the answer?

The portal vein lies posteriorly in the hepatoduodenal ligament, not as this triangle boundary.

Why is "Pancreatic head" not the answer?

The pancreatic head is inferior and posterior to the biliary confluence.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Abdomen: hepatobiliary triangle in Anatomy. Careful identification helps avoid bile-duct injury before dividing cystic structures.

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: hepatobiliary triangle?

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.