Hilum (anatomy)
Encyclopedia
In human anatomy, the hilum (formerly called a hilus) is a depression or fissure where structures such as blood vessel
s and nerve
s enter an organ
.
Blood vessel
The blood vessels are the part of the circulatory system that transports blood throughout the body. There are three major types of blood vessels: the arteries, which carry the blood away from the heart; the capillaries, which enable the actual exchange of water and chemicals between the blood and...
s and nerve
Nerve
A peripheral nerve, or simply nerve, is an enclosed, cable-like bundle of peripheral axons . A nerve provides a common pathway for the electrochemical nerve impulses that are transmitted along each of the axons. Nerves are found only in the peripheral nervous system...
s enter an organ
Organ (anatomy)
In biology, an organ is a collection of tissues joined in structural unit to serve a common function. Usually there is a main tissue and sporadic tissues . The main tissue is the one that is unique for the specific organ. For example, main tissue in the heart is the myocardium, while sporadic are...
.
Examples of hila
- Hilum of kidneyHilum of kidneyThe renal hilum or renal pedicle of the kidney is the recessed central fissure. The medial border of the kidney is concave in the center and convex toward either extremity; it is directed forward and a little downward. Its central part presents a deep longitudinal fissure, bounded by prominent...
, admits the renal arteryRenal arteryThe renal arteries normally arise off the side of the abdominal aorta, immediately below the superior mesenteric artery, and supply the kidneys with blood. Each is directed across the crus of the diaphragm, so as to form nearly a right angle with the aorta....
, veinRenal veinThe renal veins are veins that drain the kidney. They connect the kidney to the inferior vena cava.It is usually singular to each kidney, except in the condition "multiple renal veins".It also divides into 2 divisions upon entering the kidney:...
, ureterUreterIn human anatomy, the ureters are muscular tubes that propel urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. In the adult, the ureters are usually long and ~3-4 mm in diameter....
, and nerves - Splenic hilumSplenic hilumThe Splenic hilum is a location on the surface of the spleen.It is the point of attachment for the gastrosplenic ligament, and the point of insertion for the splenic artery and splenic vein.Structures that enter the hilum are:* Splenic artery...
, on the surface of the spleenSpleenThe spleen is an organ found in virtually all vertebrate animals with important roles in regard to red blood cells and the immune system. In humans, it is located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. It removes old red blood cells and holds a reserve of blood in case of hemorrhagic shock...
, admits the splenic arterySplenic arteryIn anatomy, the splenic artery is the blood vessel that supplies oxygenated blood to the spleen. It branches from the celiac artery, and follows a course superior to the pancreas.-Branches:...
, veinSplenic veinIn anatomy, the splenic vein is the blood vessel that drains blood from the spleen.It joins with the superior mesenteric vein, to form the hepatic portal vein and follows a course superior to the pancreas, alongside of the similarly named artery, the splenic artery.It collects branches from the...
, lymph vesselLymph vesselIn anatomy, lymph vessels are thin walled, valved structures that carry lymph. As part of the lymphatic system, lymph vessels are complementary to the cardiovascular system. Lymph vessels are lined by endothelial cells, and deep to that have a thin layer of smooth muscles, and adventitia that bind...
s, and nerves - Hilum of lungHilum of lungAbove and behind the cardiac impression is a triangular depression named the hilum, where the structures which form the root of the lung enter and leave the viscus. These include the pulmonary artery, superiormost on the left lung, the superior and inferior pulmonary veins, lymphatic vessels and...
, a triangular depression where the structures which form the root of the lungRoot of the lungA little above the middle of the mediastinal surface of each lung, and nearer its posterior than its anterior border, is its root, by which the lung is connected to the heart and the trachea....
enter and leave the viscusViscusIn anatomy, a viscus is an internal organ, and viscera is the plural form. The viscera, when removed from a butchered animal, are known collectively as offal... - Hilum of lymph nodeHilum of lymph nodeThe Hilum of lymph node is the concave portion of the lymph node where the efferent vessels exit....
, the portion of a lymph nodeLymph nodeA lymph node is a small ball or an oval-shaped organ of the immune system, distributed widely throughout the body including the armpit and stomach/gut and linked by lymphatic vessels. Lymph nodes are garrisons of B, T, and other immune cells. Lymph nodes are found all through the body, and act as...
where the efferent vessels exit