rami

ra·mus   (rā'məs)    n.   pl. ra·mi (-mī') A branch, as of a plant, nerve, or blood vessel. A bony process extending like a branch from a larger bone, especially the ascending part of the lower jaw that makes a joint at the temple. [Latin rāmus, branch; see wrād- in Indo-European roots.]

Main Entry: ra·mus
Pronunciation: 'rA-m&s
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural ra·mi /-"mI/
: a projectingpart, elongated process, or branch: as a : the posterior more or less vertical part of the lower jaw on each side which articulates with the skull b (1) : the uppermore cranial branch of the pubis that extends from the pubic symphysis to the body of the pubis at the acetabulum and forms the cranial part of the obturator foramen called also superior ramus(2) : the thin flat lower branch of the pubis that extends from the pubic symphysis to unite with the ramus of the ischium in forming the inferior rim of the obturator foramen called alsoinferior ramus c : a branch of the ischium that extends down and forward from the ischial tuberosity to unite with the inferior ramus of the pubis in forming the inferior rim ofthe obturator foramen called also inferior ramus d : a branch of a nerve —see RAMUSCOMMUNICANS