ramus

C2 Topic:The Human Body

US /ˈɹeɪməs/ UK /ˈreɪməs/ See IPA manual

Freq #88300

Meanings

1

noun
a branch or branchlike projecting part of an anatomical structure

The surgeon traced the nerve into a smaller ramus that supplied the surrounding tissue.
2

noun
the upright posterior portion on each side of the lower jaw

The fracture extended from the angle of the jaw into the right ramus.
3

noun
the main shaft of a feather barb from which the barbules extend

Under the microscope, each ramus carried rows of interlocking barbules.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a branch or branchlike... branchbranching part

2 noun · the upright posterior... mandibular ramus

3 noun · the main shaft of a feather... barb shaft

Word family

Derived forms ramalramification

Related forms mandible nerve barb barbule

Etymology

Borrowed directly from Latin ramus, 'branch or bough.' Anatomists and zoologists use the Latin branch metaphor for divisions and projecting parts of bones, nerves, blood vessels, and feathers. The regular plural is rami.

Topics

The Human Body

External links

# ramus

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈɹeɪməs/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈreɪməs/
**Frequency rank:** 88300

## Meanings
1. a branch or branchlike projecting part of an anatomical structure
2. the upright posterior portion on each side of the lower jaw
3. the main shaft of a feather barb from which the barbules extend

## Examples
- The surgeon traced the nerve into a smaller ramus that supplied the surrounding tissue.
- The fracture extended from the angle of the jaw into the right ramus.
- Under the microscope, each ramus carried rows of interlocking barbules.

## Synonyms
- branch
- branching part
- mandibular ramus
- barb shaft

## Derived Forms
- ramal
- ramification

## Related Forms
- mandible
- nerve
- barb
- barbule

## Etymology
Borrowed directly from Latin ramus, 'branch or bough.' Anatomists and zoologists use the Latin branch metaphor for divisions and projecting parts of bones, nerves, blood vessels, and feathers. The regular plural is rami.

## Topics
- The Human Body

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