Raphe has several different meanings in science. Pronounced ˈreɪfɪ (from Greek ραφή "suture").

In botany

Botany

Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...

 and planktology

Planktology

Planktology is the study of plankton, various microorganisms that inhabit bodies of water. The field encompasses a variety of topics, including primary production, and energy flow. The carbon cycle is a recent area of interest....

 it is commonly used when describing a seam or ridge on diatom

Diatom

Diatoms are a major group of algae, and are one of the most common types of phytoplankton. Most diatoms are unicellular, although they can exist as colonies in the shape of filaments or ribbons , fans , zigzags , or stellate colonies . Diatoms are producers within the food chain...

s or seed

Seed

A seed is a small embryonic plant enclosed in a covering called the seed coat, usually with some stored food. It is the product of the ripened ovule of gymnosperm and angiosperm plants which occurs after fertilization and some growth within the mother plant...

s.

In animal anatomy it is used to describe a ridged union of continuous biological tissue

Biological tissue

Tissue is a cellular organizational level intermediate between cells and a complete organism. A tissue is an ensemble of cells, not necessarily identical, but from the same origin, that together carry out a specific function. These are called tissues because of their identical functioning...

. There are several different significant anatomical raphes:

• The perineal raphe
  Perineal raphe
  The perineal raphe is a visible line or ridge of tissue on the human body that extends from the anus through the perineum.In men, this raphe continues through the midline of the scrotum and upwards through the posterior midline aspect of the penis...
  
   extends from the anus
  Anus
  The anus is an opening at the opposite end of an animal's digestive tract from the mouth. Its function is to control the expulsion of feces, unwanted semi-solid matter produced during digestion, which, depending on the type of animal, may be one or more of: matter which the animal cannot digest,...
  
  , through the mid-line of the scrotum
  Scrotum
  In some male mammals the scrotum is a dual-chambered protuberance of skin and muscle containing the testicles and divided by a septum. It is an extension of the perineum, and is located between the penis and anus. In humans and some other mammals, the base of the scrotum becomes covered with curly...
  
   (scrotal raphe) and upwards through the ventral mid-line aspect of the penis
  Penis
  The penis is a biological feature of male animals including both vertebrates and invertebrates...
  
   (penile raphe).
• The buccal raphe which is on the cheek
  Cheek
  Cheeks constitute the area of the face below the eyes and between the nose and the left or right ear. They may also be referred to as jowls. "Buccal" means relating to the cheek. In humans, the region is innervated by the buccal nerve...
  
   and evidence of the fusion of the maxillary and mandibular processes.
• The lingual raphe on the tongue
  Tongue
  The tongue is a muscular hydrostat on the floors of the mouths of most vertebrates which manipulates food for mastication. It is the primary organ of taste , as much of the upper surface of the tongue is covered in papillae and taste buds. It is sensitive and kept moist by saliva, and is richly...
  
  . Obvious physical evidence of the lingual raphe includes the frenulum (also called the frenum), or band of mucous membrane
  Mucous membrane
  The mucous membranes are linings of mostly endodermal origin, covered in epithelium, which are involved in absorption and secretion. They line cavities that are exposed to the external environment and internal organs...
  
   that 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 palatine raphe
  Palatine raphe
  The palatine raphe is a raphe running across the palate, from the palatine uvula to the incisive papilla.-External links:* * *...
  
   on the roof of the mouth (or palate
  Palate
  The palate is the roof of the mouth in humans and other mammals. It separates the oral cavity from the nasal cavity. A similar structure is found in crocodilians, but, in most other tetrapods, the oral and nasal cavities are not truly separate. The palate is divided into two parts, the anterior...
  
  ). Incomplete fusion of the palatine raphe results in a congenital defect known as cleft palate.
• The pharyngeal raphe
  Pharyngeal raphe
  The Pharyngeal raphe is a raphe that serves as the origin and insertion for several of the pharyngeal constrictors .-External links:*...
  
   is near the pharyngeal constrictors.
• The raphe nucleus is a moderate-size cluster of nuclei found in the brain stem which releases serotonin
  Serotonin
  Serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine is a monoamine neurotransmitter. Biochemically derived from tryptophan, serotonin is primarily found in the gastrointestinal tract, platelets, and in the central nervous system of animals including humans...
  
   to the rest of the brain. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants are believed to act at these nuclei.
• The anococcygeal raphe, an alternative name for the anococcygeal body.
• The iliococcygeal raphe
  Iliococcygeal raphé
  The iliococcygeal raphe is a raphe representing the midline location where the levator ani converge....
  
  
• The pterygomandibular raphe
  Pterygomandibular raphe
  The pterygomandibular raphe is a tendinous band of the buccopharyngeal fascia, attached by one extremity to the hamulus of the medial pterygoid plate, and by the other to the posterior end of the mylohyoid line of the mandible.* Its medial surface is covered by the mucous membrane of the mouth.*...
  
  
• The lateral palpebral raphe
  Lateral palpebral raphe
  The lateral palpebral raphé is a much weaker structure than the medial palpebral ligament.It is attached to the margin of the frontosphenoidal process of the zygomatic bone, and passes medialward to the lateral commissure of the eyelids, where it divides into two slips, which are attached to the...
  
  
• The penile raphe is a result of all fetuses being sexually equivalent until 7 weeks of pregnancy. At this time the equally female sexual organ will either remain undeterred, or expand outwards, resulting in an eventual reconstruction of skin tissue. A permanent scar remains, usually stretching from the anus area to the scrotum.