Hilum of the Lung: Anatomy and Abnormalities

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The hilum of the lung is the wedge-shaped area on the central portion of each lung, located on the medial (middle) aspect of each lung. The hilar region is where the bronchi, arteries, veins, and nerves enter and exit the lungs.

Enlargement of the hilum may occur due to tumors (such as lung cancer), pulmonary hypertension, or enlarged hilar lymph nodes due to conditions such as infections (especially tuberculosis and fungal infections), cancer (either local or metastatic), sarcoidosis, and more.

This area can be difficult to visualize on a chest X-ray, and further tests such as computerized tomography (CT) scan (sometimes requiring contrast dye, but not always) are often needed to determine if a problem exists.

This article will describe the purpose and anatomy of the hilum, discuss the tests used to examine it, and explain what hilar masses or enlarged lymph nodes in this area could mean.

Hilum Enlargement Symptoms

Theresa Chiechi / Verywell

Anatomy of the Hilum

Both the right and the left lung have a hilum which lies roughly midway down the lungs, and slightly towards the back (closer to the vertebrae than to the front of the chest). Each lung may be visualized as having an apex (the top), a base (the bottom), a root, and a hilum.

The major bronchi, pulmonary arteries, pulmonary veins, and nerves are the structures which enter and exit the lungs in this region. Lymph nodes, called hilar lymph nodes, are also present in this region. Both hila are similar in size, with the left hilum usually found slightly higher in the chest than the right hilum.

Tests to Evaluate the Hilum

Abnormalities in the hilum are usually noted on imaging studies, but further tests and procedures are often needed to determine if a problem is present, and where.

Imaging

On a chest X-ray, the hilar region reveals a shadow that consists of the combination of lymph nodes, the pulmonary arteries, and the pulmonary veins.

Due to the overlap of these structures, it can sometimes be difficult to detect enlargement of these lymph nodes or the presence of a mass in this region. This is one of the reasons why ordinary chest X-rays can miss lung cancer.

Chest CT scans (with or without contrast) can lead to better visualization of these structures. A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is sometimes very helpful if a tumor is suspected.

Radiology Report

When a radiologist views the hilum, they will report on whether there is symmetry between the right and left hilum as well as the following:

  • Shape: A branching appearance (blood vessels) is normal.
  • Radio-opacity: The hilum is usually most dense centrally, with a darker appearance towards the periphery on a chest X-ray or CT scan.
  • Proportionate size: Most (roughly two-thirds) of the vascular density should be in the lower part of the hilum.
  • Absolute size: Any enlargement of the hilum will be noted, but most often a significant degree of enlargement needs to be present to be seen.

Depending on the particular study, the radiologist may note hilar enlargement and if a hilar mass or hilar lymphadenopathy (enlarged hilar lymph nodes) are present.

Procedures

In addition to imaging tests, abnormalities in the hilar region may be identified with tests such as a bronchoscopy, a test in which a tube is inserted through the mouth and down into the major airways (bronchi).

An ultrasound done via an ultrasound probe inserted during a bronchoscopy (an endobronchial ultrasound) can sometimes obtain samples of abnormal tissue lying near the major airways.

A test called a mediastinoscopy (a surgical procedure in which a surgeon is able to explore the area between the lungs, including the hilar lymph nodes) may be needed to better visualize the region or to obtain a biopsy sample, though PET scanning has replaced the need for this procedure in many cases.

Hilar Masses or Enlargement

The hilar region of the lung may be affected by tumors (including both primary tumors and metastatic tumors), enlargement of hilar lymph nodes, or abnormalities of the pulmonary arteries or veins.

Symptoms

Enlargement of the hilum may be noted when imaging studies are done to evaluate symptoms such as a persistent cough, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, or recurrent respiratory infections, or may be found incidentally on a test such as a CT scan. Both masses and enlarged lymph nodes may be due to cancer or benign causes.

Location of Masses or Lymphadenopathy

Some apparent abnormalities of the hilum may simply be due to positioning, and further views may rule out problems. If a mass or enlargement is noted, possible causes can vary depending on the appearance:

  • Symmetric (bilateral) enlargement: Enlargement of both hilar regions may suggest conditions such as sarcoidosis or pulmonary hypertension.
  • Asymmetric (unilateral) enlargement: When only one hilar region is enlarged, causes such as tumors are more likely.
  • Displacement: The hilar region may be displaced (lie in a different position than usual) with conditions such as a pneumothorax.

Causes

There are four main reasons why the hilum of one or both lungs may appear enlarged on an X-ray. These include:

  • Tumors and lymphadenopathy: Cancers such as lung cancers and lymphomas, as well as cancer that has spread to this region from other parts of the body (metastatic cancer) can cause masses in this region. Possible causes of enlarged hilar lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy) are discussed below.
  • Pulmonary venous hypertension (elevated pressure in the pulmonary veins): Pulmonary venous hypertension may occur due to medical conditions such as heart failure and heart valve problems such as mitral stenosis and mitral regurgitation.
  • Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH): This is an elevated pressure in the pulmonary arteries. PAH may occur as a primary disease (not secondary to another problem) or as a secondary problem which in turn is caused most often by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
  • Increased pulmonary blood flow: Conditions such as cyanotic congenital heart disease (heart defects present at birth which cause a blue tinge to the skin due to a reduced oxygen content) can result in increased pulmonary blood flow.

Hilar Lymph Node Disease

Enlarged lymph nodes in the hilum may occur in both the right and left hilum (bilateral lymphadenopathy) or on one side alone (asymmetric lymphadenopathy.) Causes may include:

  • Lung cancer: Lung cancer is the most common cause of unequal hilar regions in adults, both due to the presence of a tumor and to the presence of involved lymph nodes.
  • Other cancers: Metastatic breast cancer can lead to hilar lymphadenopathy both due to the spread of the cancer to this region and due to involved lymph nodes. Lymphoma and other mediastinal tumors may also lead to enlarged hilar lymph nodes as well.
  • Tuberculosis: Worldwide, tuberculosis is one of the most common causes of hilar adenopathy in children.
  • Inflammation: Conditions such as sarcoidosis, amyloidosis, and silicosis can cause hilar lymphadenopathy. Sarcoidosis is the most common cause of bilateral hilar lymph node enlargement, especially in young adults. The hilar lymph node enlargement with sarcoidosis is usually symmetric in contrast to other common causes. Drug reactions are also a relatively common cause of hilar adenopathy.
  • Other infections: Infections such as mycobacteria, viral infections such as infectious mononucleosis, berylliosis, tularemia, histoplasmosis, and coccidioidomycosis can lead to enlarged lymph nodes in this region. In the United States, histoplasmosis is common in the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys, with coccidioidomycosis more common in the southwestern states.
  • Other causes: Castleman disease is a condition characterized by abnormal lymph tissue. Heart failure may also lead to hilar adenopathy.

Summary

There are a number of conditions that can cause an abnormal appearance of the hilum on imaging studies, many of which are serious. Tumors, both primary and metastatic, can cause both hilar masses and lymphadenopathy. However, the most common causes overall include tuberculosis worldwide, and conditions such as histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, and sarcoidosis in the United States.

If your healthcare provider notes an abnormality on your exam, further testing will be needed. They will also take a careful history looking for any other symptoms suggestive of a tumor, infection, or inflammatory process. Most of the time a biopsy will be needed to obtain a definitive diagnosis.

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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Additional Reading

By Lynne Eldridge, MD
 Lynne Eldrige, MD, is a lung cancer physician, patient advocate, and award-winning author of "Avoiding Cancer One Day at a Time."