What is "rhachises"

Rhachis \Rha"chis\, n.; pl. E. Rhachises, L. Rhachides. [See Rachis.] [Written also rechis.]

1. (Anat.) The spine.

2. (Bot.)

   1. The continued stem or midrib of a pinnately compound leaf, as in a rose leaf or a fern.

   2. The principal axis in a raceme, spike, panicle, or corymb.

3. (Zo["o]l.)

   1. The shaft of a feather. The rhachis of the after-shaft, or plumule, is called the hyporhachis.

   2. The central cord in the stem of a crinoid.

   3. The median part of the radula of a mollusk.

   4. A central cord of the ovary of nematodes.

n. (plural of rhachis English)

1. n. axis of a compound leaf or compound inflorescence

2. the series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord; "the fall broke his back" [syn: spinal column, vertebral column, spine, backbone, back]

3. [also: rhachises (pl)]

See rachis