hilum

1. 1. The scar on a seed, such as a bean, indicating the point of attachment to the funiculus.
   2. The nucleus of a starch grain.
2. The area through which ducts, nerves, or blood vessels enter and leave a gland or organ.

[Latin hīlum, trifle.]

Pl. hili [L.] a depression or pit on an organ, giving entrance and exit to vessels and nerves, e.g. the hilus of the kidney, lung, ovary, spleen.

The scar on a seed coat marking the place where it was attached to the ovary during development.

Hila redirects here. For the Israeli village, see Mitzpe Hila.

A hilum (formerly called a hilus) is a depression or pit where structures are attached.

• In human anatomy, the hilum is part of an organ where structures such as blood vessels and nerves enter.
  • The hilum of kidney (admits the renal artery, vein, ureter, and nerves) is the medial depression for blood vessels and ureter to enter the kidney chamber.
  • splenic hilum
  • hilum of lung
  • hilum of lymph node
• In botany, the hilum is a scar where the seed was attached to the ovary wall by the funiculus.

The adjective form is "hilar," and the plural is "hila."

External links

• GPnotebook
• Hilum at eMedicine Dictionary
• hilum at Dorland's Medical Dictionary

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