hilum

[ hahy-luhm ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural hi·la [hahy, -l, uh].

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.
Mycology. a mark or scar on a spore at the point of attachment to the spore-bearing structure.
Anatomy. the region at which the vessels, nerves, etc., enter or emerge from a part.

hilum

/ ˈhaɪləm /

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

hilum

/ hī′ləm /

, Plural hila

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.
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 .

Origin of hilum¹

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

Origin of hilum¹

C17: from Latin: trifle; see nihil

He considers the centre of the hilum as the base, and the chalaza, where it exists, as the natural apex of the seed.

The blood-vessels enter at one spot, the hilum, and are distributed along the trabeculae.

The hilum or base of the seed, and the chalaza or base of the nucellus are united by means of the raphe r.

This tear extended up into the hilum of the lobe, but had not torn a major bronchus or a major blood vessel.

In the Cetacea this transverse opening is kidney-shaped, the hilum of the kidney being above.

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