hilum

American  

[hahy-luhm] / ˈhaɪ ləm /

noun

• hila
  plural

1. Botany.

   1. the mark or scar on a seed produced by separation from its funicle or placenta.

   2. the nucleus of a granule of starch.

2. Mycology. a mark or scar on a spore at the point of attachment to the spore-bearing structure.

3. Anatomy. the region at which the vessels, nerves, etc., enter or emerge from a part.

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hilum British  

/ ˈhaɪləm /

noun

1. botany

   1. a scar on the surface of a seed marking its point of attachment to the seed stalk (funicle)

   2. the nucleus of a starch grain

2. a deep fissure or depression on the surface of a bodily organ around the point of entrance or exit of vessels, nerves, or ducts

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hilum Scientific  

/ hī′ləm /

• hila
  plural

1. A mark or scar on a seed, such as a bean, showing where it was formerly attached to the plant. The hilum indicates the point of attachment of the funiculus.

2. A depression or opening through which nerves, ducts, or blood vessels pass in an organ or a gland, as in the medial aspect of the lungs or the kidneys .

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• hilar
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• hila
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of hilum

1650–60; < New Latin; Latin: little thing, trifle; see nil

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hilum hila

The arteries, veins, and nerves that supply the kidney enter and exit at the renal hilum.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

As urine is formed, it drains into the calyces of the kidney, which merge to form the funnel-shaped renal pelvis in the hilum of each kidney.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

The primary bronchi enter the lungs at the hilum, a concave region where blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves also enter the lungs.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

Ureters, blood vessels, lymph vessels, and nerves enter and leave at the renal hilum.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

Cassava starch has a stellate hilum, which readily distinguishes it under the microscope from other starches.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 4 "Carnegie Andrew" to "Casus Belli" by Various

The medial-facing hila are tucked into the sweeping convex outline of the cortex.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

Another Spanish adage is, "El que trabaja y madra, hila oro": "He who labours and strives spins gold," reaps the reward of his industry.

From Proverb Lore Many sayings, wise or otherwise, on many subjects, gleaned from many sources by F. Edward (Frederick Edward) Hulme

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