Thorax: inferior pulmonary ligament: 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.

Try it

Anatomy · Thorax: inferior pulmonary ligament

Sample item

During a right lower lobectomy, a thin sheet of tissue hanging below the root of the lung is divided before the lobe can be mobilised. This structure is best described as which of the following?

AFibrous band running from the fibrous pericardium to the sternumBFibrous thickening of the parietal pericardium at the lung rootCDouble pleural fold hanging down below the root of the lungDCondensation of the endothoracic fascia over the lung apex

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Double pleural fold hanging down below the root of the lung

The pulmonary ligament is the downward continuation of the pleural sleeve around the hilum, a double layer of pleura below the root of the lung. It allows the root to expand with inspiration and must be divided in lower lobectomy. The inferior pulmonary vein lies at its upper edge.

Option by option

A. Fibrous band running from the fibrous pericardium to the sternum
The sternopericardial ligaments anchor the pericardium to the sternum and are not related to the lung root.
B. Fibrous thickening of the parietal pericardium at the lung root
The pericardium does not form a lung ligament, and the lung root lies outside it.
C. Double pleural fold hanging down below the root of the lung (correct)
Correct. The pulmonary ligament is a double pleural fold hanging from the hilum.
D. Condensation of the endothoracic fascia over the lung apex
This describes the suprapleural membrane over the cervical pleura, not a ligament below the root.

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, Double pleural fold hanging down below the root of the lung. The pulmonary ligament is the downward continuation of the pleural sleeve around the hilum, a double layer of pleura below the root of the lung.

Why is "Fibrous band running from the fibrous pericardium to the sternum" not the answer?

The sternopericardial ligaments anchor the pericardium to the sternum and are not related to the lung root.

Why is "Fibrous thickening of the parietal pericardium at the lung root" not the answer?

The pericardium does not form a lung ligament, and the lung root lies outside it.

Why is "Condensation of the endothoracic fascia over the lung apex" not the answer?

This describes the suprapleural membrane over the cervical pleura, not a ligament below the root.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thorax: inferior pulmonary ligament in Anatomy. It allows the root to expand with inspiration and must be divided in lower lobectomy. The inferior pulmonary vein lies at its upper edge.

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: inferior pulmonary ligament?

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.