papilla

noun

pa·​pil·​la pə-ˈpi-lə 

plural papillae pə-ˈpi-(ˌ)lē 

-ˌlī

: 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

papillate

ˈpa-pə-ˌlāt  pə-ˈpi-lət 

adjective

papillose

ˈpa-pə-ˌlōs 

pə-ˈpi-ˌlōs

adjective

Examples of papilla in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In this procedure, a tiny camera and surgical tools are used to open and widen the papilla without open surgery. —Jonathan B. Jassey, Verywell Health, 18 Apr. 2025

Peptides stimulate the dermal papilla cells in hair follicles to support growth and strengthen hair shafts, while biotin boosts keratin production for thicker, more resilient brow hairs. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 19 Dec. 2024

In normal skin, osteopontin comes from dermal papilla, which sit at the base of hair follicles. —Max G. Levy, WIRED, 12 July 2023

The dermal papilla need vitamin D to grow properly, which then affects the health of individual strands and the scalp as a whole. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 22 Apr. 2022

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1671, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing papilla

• renal papilla

Rhymes for papilla

• axilla
• flotilla
• gorilla
• guerilla
• guerrilla
• manilla
• mantilla
• maxilla
• mesilla
• priscilla
• scintilla
• sensilla

Kids Definition

papilla

noun

pa·​pil·​la pə-ˈpil-ə 

plural papillae -ˈpil-ē 

-ˌī

: a small bodily structure (as one on the surface of the tongue that often contains taste buds) that resembles a tiny nipple in form

Medical Definition

papilla

noun

pa·​pil·​la pə-ˈpil-ə 

plural papillae -ˈpil-(ˌ)ē  -ˌī 

: 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