Lung: bronchopulmonary segments and aspiration: 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 · Lung: bronchopulmonary segments and aspiration

Sample item

An elderly man with dysphagia aspirates gastric contents while sitting upright in a chair. Which bronchopulmonary segment is most likely to receive the aspirated material?

AApical segment of the right upper lobeBPosterior basal segment of the right lower lobeCLingular segment of the left upper lobeDSuperior segment of the right lower lobe

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Posterior basal segment of the right lower lobe

The right main bronchus is wider, shorter and more vertical than the left, so aspirated material enters the right lung more easily. With the person upright, gravity carries it into the most dependent, posterior basal segment of the right lower lobe. The superior segment is dependent when lying supine.

Option by option

A. Apical segment of the right upper lobe
The apical segment of the upper lobe is the least dependent segment when upright.
B. Posterior basal segment of the right lower lobe (correct)
Correct. The posterior basal segment is the most dependent segment in the upright position.
C. Lingular segment of the left upper lobe
The lingula lies on the less vertical left side and is not dependent in the upright position.
D. Superior segment of the right lower lobe
The superior segment becomes dependent in the supine position, not the upright position.

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 B, Posterior basal segment of the right lower lobe. The right main bronchus is wider, shorter and more vertical than the left, so aspirated material enters the right lung more easily.

Why is "Apical segment of the right upper lobe" not the answer?

The apical segment of the upper lobe is the least dependent segment when upright.

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

The lingula lies on the less vertical left side and is not dependent in the upright position.

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

The superior segment becomes dependent in the supine position, not the upright position.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Lung: bronchopulmonary segments and aspiration in Anatomy. With the person upright, gravity carries it into the most dependent, posterior basal segment of the right lower lobe. The superior segment is dependent when lying supine.

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 Lung: bronchopulmonary segments and aspiration?

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.