what is a ramus

A ramus is a branch or projecting part of a structure, such as a plant, vein, bone, nerve, or artery. In anatomy, the term is often used to refer to specific structures, such as the two vertical portions that form movable hinge joints on either side of the head, articulating with the glenoid cavity of the temporal bone of the skull, which are also called rami. Another example is the ramus intermedius artery, which is a variant coronary artery resulting from trifurcation of the left main coronary artery. The plural of ramus is rami.