papilla

views updated May 18 2018

pa·pil·la / pəˈpilə/ • n. (pl. -pil·lae / -ˈpilˌē; -ˈpilˌī/ ) a small rounded protuberance on a part or organ of the body. ∎  a small fleshy projection on a plant.DERIVATIVES: pap·il·lar·y / ˈpapəˌlerē/ adj.pap·il·late / ˈpapəˌlāt; pəˈpilit/ adj.pap·il·lose / ˈpäpəˌlōs; -ˌlōz/ adj.

papilla

views updated May 21 2018

papilla (pă-pil-ă) n. (pl. papillae) any small nipple-shaped protuberance. Several different kinds of papillae occur on the tongue, in association with the taste buds. optic p. see optic (disc).
papillary adj.

papilla

views updated May 14 2018

papilla nipple-like protuberance. XVIII. — L. (see PAP1).
So papillary XVII.

papilla

views updated May 29 2018

papilla Any cone-shaped protuberance projecting from the surface of an organ or organism. Papillae occur, for example, on the tongue, in the kidneys, and, in plants, on the surface of many petals.

papilla

views updated May 29 2018

papilla A small, blunt projection.