papilla
noun
pa·pil·la
| \ pə-ˈpi-lə
\
\
plural papillae\ pə-ˈpi-(ˌ)lē
, -ˌlī \
, -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
Keep scrolling for more
Other Words from papilla
papillary
\ ˈpa-pə-ˌler-ē
, especially British pə-ˈpi-lə-rē \
adjective
, especially British pə-ˈpi-lə-rē \
adjective
papillate
\ ˈpa-pə-ˌlāt
, pə-ˈpi-lət
\
adjective
, pə-ˈpi-lət
\
adjective
papillose
\ ˈpa-pə-ˌlōs
, pə-ˈpi-ˌlōs \
adjective
, pə-ˈpi-ˌlōs \
adjective
Examples of papilla in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The cause of death was duodenal papilla cancer, according to Fumie Kakita, secretary general of the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Survivors Council. — Motoko Rich, New York Times, "Sumiteru Taniguchi, Nagasaki Survivor and Nuclear Arms Foe, Dies at 88," 31 Aug. 2017 Taniguchi died at a hospital in Nagasaki of cancer of the duodenal papilla, the point where the pancreatic and bile ducts meet, according to the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations. — Washington Post, "Survivor of Nagasaki bomb who campaigned to ban nukes dies," 30 Aug. 2017 Read those words aloud, slowly, letting each one run sensuously over the papillae of your tongue. — John Brownlee, WIRED, "John Edwards Meets Second Life 'Feces Spewing Obscenity'," 2 Mar. 2007These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'papilla.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for papilla
papilla
noun
pa·pil·la
| \ pə-ˈpil-ə
\
\
plural papillae\ -ˈpil-(ˌ)ē
, -ˌī
\
, -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