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Raphe
In general, a raphe (pronounced "RAY-fee") is a seam. It is most commonly used when describing diatoms, seeds, and human anatomy.
In the field of anatomy, the term refers to a continuous ridge of tissue. There are several different significant raphes:
- The perinealraphe extends from the anus, through the mid-line of the scrotum(scrotal raphe) and upwards through the posterior mid-line aspect of the penis(penile raphe). It is observed as a noticeable line. It is the result of a fetaldevelopmental phenomenon whereby the scrotum (the developmental equivalent of the labiain females) and penis close toward the midline and fuse. The resulting ridge of tissue is evident as the perineal raphe.
- The buccalraphe which is on the cheekand evidence of the fusion of the maxillaryand mandibularprocesses.
- The lingualraphe on the tongue. Obvious physical evidence of the lingual raphe includes the frenulum(also called the frenum), or band of mucous membranethat is visible under the tongue attaching it to the floor of the mouth. If this raphe is too tight at birth, movement of the tongue is restricted and the child is said to be "tongue tied".
- The palatineraphe on the roof of the mouth (or palate). Incomplete fusion of the palatine raphe results in a congenital defectknown as cleft palate.
External links
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raphe Wikipedia article Raphe.
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