hilum

noun

hi·​lum ˈhī-ləm 

plural hila ˈhī-lə 

1

: a scar on a seed (such as a bean) marking the point of attachment of the ovule

2

: a notch in or opening from a bodily part suggesting the hilum of a bean

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, trifle

First Known Use

circa 1753, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

hilum

noun

hi·​lum ˈhī-ləm 

plural hila -lə 

: a scar on a seed at the point of attachment of the ovule

Medical Definition

hilum

noun

hi·​lum ˈhī-ləm 

plural hila -lə 

1

: a scar on a seed (as a bean) marking the point of attachment of the ovule

2

: a notch in or opening from a bodily part suggesting the hilum of a bean especially when it is where the blood vessels, nerves, or ducts leave and enter: as

a

: the indented part of a kidney

b

: the depression in the medial surface of a lung that forms the opening through which the bronchus, blood vessels, and nerves pass

c

: a shallow depression in one side of a lymph node through which blood vessels pass and efferent lymphatic vessels emerge