During a splenectomy, the surgeon incises the splenorenal ligament to mobilise the spleen. Which structures must be ligated within this ligament?
- A Short gastric vessels only
- B Splenic vessels and the tail of the pancreas ✓
- C Left gastroepiploic vessels and the left adrenal gland
- D Splenic vessels and the body of the pancreas
Correct answer: B. Splenic vessels and the tail of the pancreas
Explanation
The splenorenal (lienorenal) ligament is a double fold of peritoneum between the spleen and the posterior abdominal wall, containing the splenic vessels and the tail of the pancreas, which reaches the splenic hilum in most individuals. The short gastric and left gastroepiploic vessels lie in the gastrosplenic ligament instead, making option A incomplete for this step.
Reference: Gray's Anatomy for Students, 4th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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