The conical, midline muscular extension of the soft palate, of variable length in humans (520 mm/0·20·8 in). It is elevated in swallowing, and is occasionally used in the production of speech sounds (eg the French uvular r).
The uvula (IPA: [ˈjuːvjʊlə]) is a small, mucosa-covered set of muscles, musculus uvulae, hanging down from the soft palate, near the back of the throat.
The uvula plays an important role in the articulation of the sound of the human voice to form the sounds of speech. Certain African languages use the uvula to produce click consonants as well.
In a small number of people, the uvula does not close properly against the back of the throat, causing a condition known as "velopharyngeal insufficiency" or VPI.
The uvula can also contribute to snoring or heavy breathing during sleep; having an elongated uvula can cause vibrations which lead to the snoring. In some cases this can lead to sleep apnea, which may be treated by removal of the uvula or part of the uvula if necessary, an operation known as uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (commonly referred to as UPPP, or U3P).
If the uvula touched by a finger or other object, this will induce an unpleasant gagging sensation which is often followed by vomiting.
During swallowing, the soft palate and the uvula move superiorly to close off the nasopharynx, preventing food from entering the nasal cavity.
Splitting of the uvula occurs infrequently but is the most common form of mouth and nose area cleavage among newborns (roughly 2% of infants have this bifid or split uvula). Newborns with cleft palate also have a split uvula.
Swollen Uvula - Uvulitis
At times, the mucous membrane around the uvula may swell, causing the uvula to expand 3-5 times its normal size. When the uvula touches the throat or tongue, it can cause sensations like gagging or choking, even though there is no foreign matter present.
There are many theories about what causes the uvula to swell, including: 1) dehydration (from arid weather and/or alcohol); A swollen uvula is normally not life-threatening and subsides in a short time, typically within a day.
Bifid Uvula
A bifid uvula is a split or cleft uvula. Bifid uvulas have less muscle in them than a normal uvula, this may cause recurring problems with middle ear infections.
Removal of part of Uvula prevent throat infections
In some parts of Africa, including Ethiopia and Eritrea, part of the uvula may be removed by a traditional healer to prevent throat infections.
Uvula in popular culture
Cartoons and other displays or animations often feature the uvula when characters are shown with gaping mouths. In other cartoons, the uvula is depicted as a punching bag, and is hit by characters in a way similar to that of a speed bag (such as I Taw a Putty Tat).
Bifid uvulas were featured as a part of Nickelodeon's 1994 animated series Aaahh!!!
In Cartoon Network's series Cow and Chicken the uvula is used along with the spleen to represent an unknown human organ.
In an episode of The Andy Griffith Show, Deputy Barney Fife has learned this word, and recites a brief reference to the old Spiritual "All God's Chillun Got Wings":
"I got a uvula, you got a uvula, all God's chillun got a uvula!"In Takashi Miikes Happiness of the Katakuris, a small monster runs away with a woman's uvula.
The uvula is mistaken for a vulva as a gag in Monster House.
The uvula was featured in an early Saturday Night Live comedy skit starring Gilda Radner, Chevy Chase, and Laraine Newman.
Uvula in fashion
Today, the uvula is one of many body parts that people pierce. However, uvula piercings are very dangerous compared to other forms of body piercing, as the risks involved include swelling, throat edema, choking, and other forms of uvular infection.
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