papilla medical definition

1. A small nipplelike projection, such as a protuberance on the skin, at the root of a hair or feather, or at the base of a developing tooth.
2. One of the small, round or cone-shaped protuberances on the top of the tongue that contain taste buds.
3. A pimple or pustule.

Related Forms:

• papillary adjective

Related Forms:

• papillate adjective

Related Forms:

• papillose adjective