Hilum (anatomy)

In human anatomy, the hilum (formerly called a hilus) is a depression or fissure where structures such as blood vessels and nerves enter an organ.

Examples of hila

• Hilum of kidney, admits the renal artery, vein, ureter, and nerves
• Splenic hilum, on the surface of the spleen, admits the splenic artery, vein, lymph vessels, and nerves
• Hilum of lung, a triangular depression where the structures which form the root of the lung enter and leave the viscus
• Hilum of lymph node, the portion of a lymph node where the efferent vessels exit