Definition of PAPILLA (original) (raw)

: a small projecting body part similar to a nipple in form:

: a vascular process of connective tissue extending into and nourishing the root of a hair, feather, or developing tooth see hair illustration

: any of the vascular protuberances of the dermal layer of the skin extending into the epidermal layer and often containing tactile corpuscles

: any of the small protuberances on the upper surface of the tongue often containing taste buds

Examples of papilla in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The papilla sends signals about growth as well as the color and size of the hair strands.1 When your hair is in the growing phase, a strand emerges from the root and grows through the hole at the top of the follicle. —Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 15 Aug. 2024 There are many different types of taste buds, but all have stalks and papilla that round out with undercuts under the stalks, similar to the shape of a mushroom, explains Dr. Fraundorf. —Daley Quinn, Verywell Health, 1 Apr. 2024 In normal skin, osteopontin comes from dermal papilla, which sit at the base of hair follicles. —Max G. Levy, WIRED, 12 July 2023 This is what happened on July 3, when the volcano exploded (see above), sending ash, papilla (larger volcanic fragments) and volcanincn bombs across the island, generating a small pyroclastic flow that headed down the side of the volcano into the ocean (see below). —Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 5 July 2019 The dermal papilla are cells at the base of each hair follicle that regulate growth and development. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 22 Apr. 2022 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 Hair dermal papillae cells are specialized mesenchymal cells located in the dermal papilla, where the latter is found at the bottom of hair follicles. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 8 Sep. 2021 Follicle Protection Complex zooms in on hair follicle stem cells and dermal papilla cells to promote hair growth. —Bianca Salonga, Forbes, 24 Apr. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'papilla.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1671, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of papilla was in 1671

Dictionary Entries Near papilla

Cite this Entry

“Papilla.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/papilla. Accessed 24 Sep. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on papilla

Last Updated: 24 Aug 2024 - Updated example sentences

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!