PAPILLA

[pa.pil.la] n, pl pa.pil.lae [L, nipple, fr. dim. of papula pimple; akin to Lith papas nipple] (1713): 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 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 -- pap.il.lary adj -- pa.pil.late adj -- pa.pil.lose adj