Abdomen: functional liver anatomy: 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: functional liver anatomy

Sample item

A surgeon plans a right hepatectomy and divides the liver along the plane that separates the functional right and left lobes. Which description of this plane is correct?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Line from the gallbladder fossa to the inferior vena cava, containing the middle hepatic vein

Cantlie's line runs from the gallbladder fossa to the IVC and separates the functionally independent right and left hemilivers, each with its own portal pedicle and biliary drainage. The middle hepatic vein lies in this plane. The falciform ligament marks the umbilical fissure between the left medial and left lateral sections, which lie within the functional left lobe.

Option by option

  • A. Line along the falciform ligament, containing the left hepatic vein

    The falciform ligament separates the left medial and left lateral sections and is not the functional boundary.

  • B. Line from the gallbladder fossa to the inferior vena cava, containing the middle hepatic vein (correct)

    Correct. Cantlie's line with the middle hepatic vein divides the functional right and left lobes.

  • C. Line midway between the right border and the gallbladder fossa, containing the right hepatic vein

    The right hepatic vein lies in the right intersectional fissure and divides the anterior and posterior sectors of the right lobe.

  • D. Line along the fissure for the ligamentum venosum, containing the left portal vein

    The fissure for the ligamentum venosum separates the caudate lobe from the left lateral section.

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, Line from the gallbladder fossa to the inferior vena cava, containing the middle hepatic vein. Cantlie's line runs from the gallbladder fossa to the IVC and separates the functionally independent right and left hemilivers, each with its own portal pedicle and biliary drainage.

Why is "Line along the falciform ligament, containing the left hepatic vein" not the answer?

The falciform ligament separates the left medial and left lateral sections and is not the functional boundary.

Why is "Line midway between the right border and the gallbladder fossa, conta…" not the answer?

The right hepatic vein lies in the right intersectional fissure and divides the anterior and posterior sectors of the right lobe.

Why is "Line along the fissure for the ligamentum venosum, containing the lef…" not the answer?

The fissure for the ligamentum venosum separates the caudate lobe from the left lateral section.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Abdomen: functional liver anatomy in Anatomy. The middle hepatic vein lies in this plane. The falciform ligament marks the umbilical fissure between the left medial and left lateral sections, which lie within the functional left lobe.

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: functional liver anatomy?

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.