In terms of poultry, what function does the papilla primarily serve?

The papilla in poultry primarily serves a reproductive function, particularly in male birds. It is involved in the process of transferring sperm to the female during mating. The papilla is a small, protruding structure located in the cloaca of males, used during copulation to facilitate sperm transfer to the female's cloaca, where fertilization occurs.

In female poultry, the reproductive organs are designed to receive the sperm but do not interact directly with the papilla. Understanding the anatomy and function of these structures is crucial for comprehending how reproduction occurs within this class of animals.