Renal hilum

The renal hilum or renal pedicle is the recessed central fissure of the kidney where its vessels, nerves and ureter pass. 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 overhanging anterior and posterior lips. This fissure is a hilum that transmits the vessels, nerves, and ureter. From anterior to posterior, the renal vein exits, the renal artery enters, and the renal pelvis exits the kidney.

Hilum of kidney
Kidney anatomy, with hilum labeled at upper left.
1. Renal pyramid 2. Interlobular artery 3. Renal artery 4. Renal vein 5. Renal hilum 6. Renal pelvis 7. Ureter 8. Minor calyx 9. Renal capsule 10. Inferior renal capsule 11. Superior renal capsule 12. Interlobar vein 13. Nephron 14. Renal sinus 15. Major calyx 16. Renal papilla 17. Renal column
Details
Identifiers
Latin	hylus renale
TA98	A08.1.01.004
TA2	3361
FMA	15610
Anatomical terminology

On the left hand side the hilum is located at the L1 vertebral level and the right kidney at level L1-2. The lower border of the kidneys is usually alongside L3.

Structure

The superior, middle, and inferior vessels enter or leave the hilum of kidney: from anterior to posterior is renal vein, renal artery and renal pelvis, respectively.

See also

• Renal artery
• Renal vein
• Renal pyramids
• Renal medulla

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 1219 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

External links

• Histology image: 15901loa – Histology Learning System at Boston University