n. (pl. rami) 1. a branch, especially of a nerve fibre or blood vessel. 2. a thin process projecting from a bone, e.g. the rami of the *mandible.
n. the lower jawbone. It consists of a horseshoe-shaped body, the upper surface of which bears the lower teeth (see alveolus), and two vertical parts (rami). Each ramus divides into a condyle and a *coronoid process. The condyle articulates with the temporal bone of the cranium to form the temporomandibular joint (a hinge joint). See also maxilla; skull. —mandibular adj.... mandible
Health Encyclopedia