Pa-pĭl'la, n.

n.; pl. PA-PIL'LÆ. [Lat.]

1. (Anat.) The minute elevations of the surface of the skin, tongue, &c. They serve to increase the extent of surface for vascular distribution, or subserve sensitive or mechanical purposes. Some contain one or more vascular loops; others, nervous elements. Some are surmounted by dense epithelial filaments, as those which give the roughness to the tongue.
2. (Bot.) A small, elongated projection; a nipple-shaped protuberance.