papilla

noun pa·pil·la \pə-ˈpi-lə\

plural pa·pil·lae \-ˈpi-(ˌ)lē, -ˌlī\

Definition of PAPILLA

: a small projecting body part similar to a nipple in form:

a : a vascular process of connective tissue extending into and nourishing the root of a hair, feather, or developing tooth — see hair illustration

b : any of the vascular protuberances of the dermal layer of the skin extending into the epidermal layer and often containing tactile corpuscles

c : any of the small protuberances on the upper surface of the tongue often containing taste buds

— pap·il·lary \ˈpa-pə-ˌler-ē, especially British pə-ˈpi-lə-rē\ adjective

— pa·pil·late \ˈpa-pə-ˌlāt, pə-ˈpi-lət\ adjective

— pa·pil·lose \ˈpa-pə-ˌlōs, pə-ˈpi-ˌlōs\ adjective

See papilla defined for kids

Origin of PAPILLA

Latin, nipple, from diminutive of papula pimple; akin to Lithuanian papas nipple

First Known Use: 1713

Rhymes with PAPILLA

ancilla, Anguilla, Aquila, Attila, axilla, cabrilla, cedilla, chinchilla, Comilla, flotilla, gorilla, guerrilla, hydrilla, manila, Manila, mantilla, maxilla, megillah, perilla, scintilla, vanilla

Medical Dictionary

papilla

noun pa·pil·la \pə-ˈpil-ə\

plural pa·pil·lae \-ˈpil-(ˌ)ē, -ˌī\

Medical Definition of PAPILLA

: a small projecting body part similar to a nipple in form: as a : a vascular process of connective tissue extending into and nourishing the root of a hair, feather, or developing tooth b : any of the vascular protuberances of the dermal layer of the skin extending into the epidermal layer and often containing tactile corpuscles c : renal papilla d : any of the small protuberances on the upper surface of the tongue—see circumvallate papilla, filiform papilla, fungiform papilla, interdental papilla, optic papilla