Thorax: aspiration in the supine position: 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: aspiration in the supine position

Sample item

A bedridden elderly man, nursed flat on his back, aspirates gastric contents during a seizure. Which lung segment is the most likely to collect the aspirated material?

ASuperior segment of the right lower lobeBMedial segment of the right middle lobeCLingular segment of the left upper lobeDMedial basal segment of the right lower lobe

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Superior segment of the right lower lobe

The lower lobe's superior (apical) segment and the posterior segment of the upper lobe lie most dependent in the supine patient, so aspirated material settles there. In the upright position the posterior basal segments of the lower lobes are favoured instead.

Option by option

A. Superior segment of the right lower lobe (correct)
Correct. The superior segment of the lower lobe is the most dependent in the supine position.
B. Medial segment of the right middle lobe
The middle lobe lies anteriorly and is not dependent when supine.
C. Lingular segment of the left upper lobe
The lingula lies anteriorly and is not dependent in the supine position.
D. Medial basal segment of the right lower lobe
The basal segments are dependent when the patient is upright or sitting, not lying flat.

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 A, Superior segment of the right lower lobe. The lower lobe's superior (apical) segment and the posterior segment of the upper lobe lie most dependent in the supine patient, so aspirated material settles there.

Why is "Medial segment of the right middle lobe" not the answer?

The middle lobe lies anteriorly and is not dependent when supine.

Why is "Lingular segment of the left upper lobe" not the answer?

The lingula lies anteriorly and is not dependent in the supine position.

Why is "Medial basal segment of the right lower lobe" not the answer?

The basal segments are dependent when the patient is upright or sitting, not lying flat.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thorax: aspiration in the supine position in Anatomy. In the upright position the posterior basal segments of the lower lobes are favoured instead.

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 Thorax: aspiration in the supine position?

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.