raphe

[ rey-fee ]
/ ˈreɪ fi /

noun, plural ra·phae [rey-fee] /ˈreɪ fi/.

Anatomy. a seamlike union between two parts or halves of an organ or the like.
Botany.
  1. (in certain ovules) a ridge connecting the hilum with the chalaza.
  2. a median line or slot on a cell wall of a diatom.

Origin of raphe

1745–55; < New Latin < Greek rhaphḗ seam, suture, akin to rháptein to sew, stitch together

Words nearby raphe

rape oil, rapeseed, rapeseed oil, raphael, raphaelesque, raphe, raphe nucleus, raphe of penis, raphe of perineum, raphe of scrotum, raphia

British Dictionary definitions for raphae

raphe
/ (ˈreɪfɪ) /

noun plural -phae (-fiː)

an elongated ridge of conducting tissue along the side of certain seeds
a longitudinal groove on the valve of a diatom
anatomy a connecting ridge, such as that between the two halves of the medulla oblongata

Word Origin for raphe

C18: via New Latin from Greek rhaphē a seam, from rhaptein to sew together

Medical definitions for raphae

raphe

n. pl. ra•phae (-fē′)

A seamlike line or ridge between two similar parts of a body organ, as in the scrotum.

Scientific definitions for raphae

raphe
[ rā′fē′ ]

Plural raphae (rā′fē′)

A seamlike line or ridge between two similar parts of a body organ, as in the scrotum.
The portion of the funiculus that is united to the ovule wall, commonly visible as a line or ridge on the seed coat.
A groove in the frustule of some diatoms.