Uvula

The uvula is a small cone-shaped mass of tissue hanging down from the soft palate, near the back of the throat. The word is derived from the diminiutive of uva, the Latin word for "grape", due to the uvula's grape-like shape.

The uvula plays an important role in the creation of the sound of the human voice. It functions in tandem with the back of the throat, the palate, and air coming up from the lungs to create a number of guttural and other sounds. Consonants pronounced with the uvula are not found in English; however, languages such as Arabic, French, German,Hebrew, and Ubykh use uvular consonants to varying degrees. Certain African languages use the uvula to produce click consonants, as well. To an extent, Spanish also uses uvular consonants, when pronouncing the "j" or soft "g" sound. That sound is frequently pronounced as "kh" or the guttural "h" heard in Arabic.

The uvula also contributes 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.

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.

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.

Uvula in popular culture

Cartoons and other displays or animations often feature the uvula when characters act in a way in which their mouth is gaping open. Screaming or singing animations often show the uvula in a wiggling motion. Bifid uvulas were actually featured as a part of Nickelodeon's 1994 animated series AAAHH!!! Real Monsters.