hilum

  1. Noun.  (botany) The eye of a bean or other seed; the mark or scar at the point of attachment of an ovule or seed to its base or support.
  2. Noun.  (botany) The nucleus of a starch grain.
  3. Noun.  (anatomy) A depression or fissure through which ducts, nerves, or blood vessels enter and leave a gland or organ. Also called porta.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.