Question

What is the function of the word hilus? Is the word “hilum” the plural form of “hilus”?

Answer 1

It is a part of both the human anatomy as well as the part of a flower embryo. Their structure and function are different and thus the meaning of the same word is changed according to their structure and function.

Complete answer:
The function of the word hilus is that they permit the transportation of various materials throughout the human body. They are found in certain organs as the small opening which acts as the junction of nerves, blood vessels, and various other ducts. From this junction and all these vessels and ducts enter and leave along with their materials that need to be transferred. The hilum is the plural form of hila while the word hilus was used in the place of hilum in earlier times.
The examples of body organs where the hilum is found are the kidneys where the small fissure is present that allows the renal arteries to enter the kidney with the oxygenated blood for the process of circulation while it allows the renal vein to leave the kidneys along with the ureters. The other example of the presence of hilum is in the ovary that functions in the production of the hormones called androgens and are similar to the functions of the interstitial cells.
In the case of Botany, the hilum is observed as a mark or as a scar found in the seed coat where the ovary walls were attached before and teh funiculus then attaches to the ovary wall. This mark can be used as a distinguishing feature to differentiate between various seeds or spores and identify them.

Note:
The term ‘Hilum’ was derived from the Latin word. Hilum in the seeds are made up of the starch granules that give nutrition to the embryo and help in their growth and development while in the case of humans Hilum present in various organs help them in their attachment and connect them to various other organs.