Definition of raphe in English:
 raphe
nounPlural raphae ˈreɪfiˈrāfē
1Anatomy Biology 
A groove, ridge, or seam in an organ or tissue, typically marking the line where two halves fused in the embryo.
 Example sentencesExamples
-  They are located close to the median raphe, ventromedial to the hypoglossal nucleus.
 -  If the variant is bilateral the deviant muscle plate has a raphe in the median line.
 -  Its fibers pass dorsally from an extensive anterior attachment to insert on the pharyngeal raphe, the pharyngeal tubercle of the occipital bone.
 
- 1.1 The connecting ridge between the two halves of the medulla oblongata or the tegmentum of the midbrain.
 Example sentencesExamples
-  Because most medullary raphe neurons that project to motoneurons are inhibited by vagal afferents.
 -  The second pathway arises from the median raphe and enervates the hippocampus and appears to mediate resilience and adaptation to stress.
 -  Second, there is a midbrain trigger, perhaps in serotonergic neurons of the dorsal raphe.
 -  Stimulation of 5 - HT1A receptors in the raphe regulates serotonin synthesis and release.
 -  In rats, the CO2-sensitive neurons of the caudal medullar raphe act during sleep only.
 
 
2Botany 
A longitudinal ridge on the side of certain ovules or seeds.
 Example sentencesExamples
-  The raphe is a slightly depressed area on the opposite side of the hilum from the micropyle.
 
- 2.1 A longitudinal groove in the valve of many diatoms.
 Example sentencesExamples
-  Through the raphe, the living diatom secretes mucilage, with which it may attach to a substrate or move by gliding over the substrate.
 
 
Origin
  
Mid 18th century: modern Latin, from Greek rhaphē 'seam'.