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Raphe
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Look up <i>raphe</i> in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. <p>Raphe has several different meanings in scientific terminology. </p><p>In <a href="/facts/Botany/PaIRoxnb">botany</a> and <a href="/facts/Planktology/5MafRrNM">planktology</a>, it is commonly used when describing a seam or ridge on <a href="/facts/Diatom/x2oEcP1P">diatoms</a> or <a href="/facts/Seed/a4xGSLxJ">seeds</a>. </p><p>In animal anatomy, it is used to describe a ridged union of continuous <a href="/facts/Biological_tissue/H7CpML7A">biological tissue</a>. There are several different significant anatomical raphes: </p> <ul><li>The <a href="/facts/Raphe_nucleus/DCmphm59">raphe nucleus</a> is a moderate-size cluster of nuclei found in the brain stem that releases <a href="/facts/Serotonin/EzY58q4a">serotonin</a> to the rest of the brain. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants are believed to act at these nuclei.</li> <li>The buccal raphe, which is on the <a href="/facts/Cheek/e5RsgcIL">cheek</a> and evidence of the fusion of the <a href="/facts/Maxillary_prominence/7k5B5udL">maxillary</a> and <a href="/facts/Mandibular_process/WJLCbXRp">mandibular processes</a></li> <li>The lingual raphe on the <a href="/facts/Tongue/oW4tp3a0">tongue</a>. Obvious physical evidence of the lingual raphe includes the <a href="/facts/Frenulum_of_tongue/2jvw2lu7">frenulum</a> (also called the frenum), or band of <a href="/facts/Mucous_membrane/oIw0vyel">mucous membrane</a> that is visible under the tongue attaching it to the <a href="/facts/Floor_of_mouth/NJY6GYoA">floor of the mouth</a>. If this raphe is too tight at birth, movement of the tongue is restricted and the child is said to be "tongue tied".</li> <li>The <a href="/facts/Palatine_raphe/vk9oSowd">palatine raphe</a> on the roof of the mouth (or <a href="/facts/Palate/o0RMlkss">palate</a>). Incomplete fusion of the palatine raphe results in a <a href="/facts/Congenital_defect/ESfzQhTx">congenital defect</a> known as <a href="/facts/Cleft_palate/CoLE8Wbu">cleft palate</a>.</li> <li>The <a href="/facts/Pharyngeal_raphe/00z99abN">pharyngeal raphe</a> joins the left and right pharyngeal constrictors.</li> <li>The <a href="/facts/Perineal_raphe/IN82Hp9R">perineal raphe</a> extends from the <a href="/facts/Human_anus/PGkvVMYT">anus</a>, through the mid-line of the <a href="/facts/Scrotum/w0CeIV5k">scrotum</a> (scrotal raphe), and upwards through the ventral mid-line aspect of the <a href="/facts/Human_penis/shzvo9ML">penis</a> (<a href="/facts/Penile_raphe/DyS2PeI7">penile raphe</a>) in males. In females, it extends from the <a href="/facts/Human_anus/PGkvVMYT">anus</a>, through the mid-line of the <a href="/facts/Perineum/MaBAap96">perineum</a> to the posterior junction of the <a href="/facts/Labia_majora/eM8pHMtR">labia majora</a>.</li> <li>The anococcygeal raphe, an alternative name for the <a href="/facts/Anococcygeal_body/LGr2u1fr">anococcygeal body</a></li> <li>The <a href="/facts/Iliococcygeal_raphe/hFukjx0L">iliococcygeal raphe</a></li> <li>The <a href="/facts/Pterygomandibular_raphe/J68cujz5">pterygomandibular raphe</a></li> <li>The <a href="/facts/Lateral_palpebral_raphe/Ap20KEDK">lateral palpebral raphe</a></li> <li>The mylohyoid raphe</li></ul>