Hilum is an indentation in the surface of a kidney, spleen, or other organ, where blood vessels, ducts, nerve fibers, etc. enter and leave it.
Hilum of Lung
Mnemonic: VAD (from anterior to posterior)
- pulmonary Veins (Superior and Inferior)
- pulmonary Artery
- Duct – bronchus (Principal bronchus on left, and eparterial and hyparterial bronchus on right)
Hilum of Liver (Porta Hepatis)
Mnemonic: DAVE (from anterior to posterior)
- Ducts (right and left hepatic duct)
- Artery (right and left hepatic vein)
- Vein (portal vein – right and left branches)
- Epiploic foramen

Hilum of Kidney
Mnemonic: VAD (from anterior to posterior)
- Vein (renal vein)
- Artery (renal artery)
- Duct (ureter)