Abdomen: hepatocystic 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: hepatocystic triangle

Sample item

During laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a surgeon dissects the hepatocystic triangle (of Calot) to achieve the critical view of safety. Which artery is usually found in this triangle and clipped?

AGastroduodenal artery, from the common hepatic arteryBRight gastric artery, from the proper hepatic arteryCCystic artery, usually from the right hepatic arteryDRight gastroepiploic artery, from the gastroduodenal artery

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Cystic artery, usually from the right hepatic artery

The hepatocystic triangle is bounded by the cystic duct, the common hepatic duct and the inferior surface of the liver. The cystic artery, an end artery, normally arises from the right hepatic artery and runs within this triangle. Clear identification of both the artery and the duct prevents bile duct injury.

Option by option

A. Gastroduodenal artery, from the common hepatic artery
The gastroduodenal artery runs behind the first part of the duodenum, outside this triangle.
B. Right gastric artery, from the proper hepatic artery
The right gastric artery runs along the lesser curvature of the stomach.
C. Cystic artery, usually from the right hepatic artery (correct)
Correct. The cystic artery from the right hepatic artery passes through the triangle to the gallbladder.
D. Right gastroepiploic artery, from the gastroduodenal artery
The right gastroepiploic artery runs along the greater curvature of the stomach.

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 C, Cystic artery, usually from the right hepatic artery. The hepatocystic triangle is bounded by the cystic duct, the common hepatic duct and the inferior surface of the liver.

Why is "Gastroduodenal artery, from the common hepatic artery" not the answer?

The gastroduodenal artery runs behind the first part of the duodenum, outside this triangle.

Why is "Right gastric artery, from the proper hepatic artery" not the answer?

The right gastric artery runs along the lesser curvature of the stomach.

Why is "Right gastroepiploic artery, from the gastroduodenal artery" not the answer?

The right gastroepiploic artery runs along the greater curvature of the stomach.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Abdomen: hepatocystic triangle in Anatomy. The cystic artery, an end artery, normally arises from the right hepatic artery and runs within this triangle. Clear identification of both the artery and the duct prevents bile duct injury.

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: hepatocystic 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.