"Uvula" redirects here. For other uses, see Uvula of cerebellum and Uvula of urinary bladder.
| Uvula |
|
Uvula's location in the human mouth
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| Details |
| Latin |
uvula palatina |
| Identifiers |
| Gray's |
p.1112 |
| MeSH |
Uvula |
Dorlands
/Elsevier |
Uvula |
| TA |
A05.2.01.004 |
| FMA |
FMA:55022 |
| Anatomical terminology |
The palatine uvula, usually referred to as simply the uvula //, is a conic projection from the posterior edge of the middle of the soft palate, composed of connective tissue containing a number of racemose glands, and some muscular fibers (musculus uvulae).[1][2]
Contents
- 1 Structure
- 2 Function
- 3 Clinical relevance
- 3.1 Emetic effect
- 3.2 Velopharyngeal insufficiency
- 3.3 Snoring and sleep apnea
- 3.4 Nasal regurgitation
- 3.5 Inflammation
- 4 Society and culture
- 5 History
- 6 See also
- 7 References
- 8 External links
Structure
Muscle
The musculus uvulae, which lies entirely within the uvula, shortens and broadens the uvula. This changes the contour of the posterior part of the soft palate. This change in contour allows the soft palate to adapt closely to the posterior pharyngeal wall to help close the nasopharynx during swallowing.[3]
It is innervated by the pharyngeal branch of vagus nerve (cranial nerve X).
Variation
A bifid or bifurcated uvula is a split or cleft uvula. Newborns with cleft palate often also have a split uvula. The bifid uvula results from incomplete fusion of the palatine shelves but it is considered only a slight form of clefting. Bifid uvulas have less muscle in them than a normal uvula, which may cause recurring problems with middle ear infections. While swallowing, the soft palate is pushed backwards, preventing food and drink from entering the nasal cavity. If the soft palate cannot touch the back of the throat while swallowing, food and drink can enter the nasal cavity.[4] Splitting of the uvula occurs infrequently but is the most common form of mouth and nose area cleavage among newborns. Bifid uvula occurs in about 2% of the general population,[5] although some populations may have a high incidence, such as Native Americans who have a 10% rate.[6]
Bifid uvula is a common symptom of the rare genetic syndrome Loeys-Dietz syndrome,[7] which is associated with an increased risk of aortic aneurysm.[8]
Function
Speech
Phoneticians describe a range of human speech sounds as uvular consonants, including the voiced uvular trill, written [R] in the International Phonetic Alphabet, a sound famously associated with e.g. the French singer and actor Édith Piaf. The physiological and evolutionary role of the uvula remains however unclear.[9]
Clinical relevance
Emetic effect
Stimulation of the uvula causes the gag reflex to initiate. This is often an issue for people who plan to get uvula piercings.
Velopharyngeal insufficiency
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. This causes "nasal" (or more properly "hyper-nasal") speech, where a lot of extra air comes down the nose, and the speaker is unable to say certain consonants, for example producing the sound 'b' like 'm'.
Snoring and sleep apnea
The uvula can also contribute to snoring or heavy breathing during sleep; having an elongated uvula can cause vibrations which lead to snoring. In some cases this can lead to sleep apnea, which may be treated by removal of the uvula or part of it if necessary, an operation known as uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (commonly referred to as UPPP, or UP3). However, this operation can also cause sleep apnea if scar tissue forms and the airspace in the velopharynx is decreased. The success of UPPP as a treatment for sleep apnea is unknown, but some research has shown 40–60% effectiveness in reducing symptoms.[10] Typically apnea subsides for the short term, but returns over the medium to long term, and sometimes is worse than it was before the UPPP.
Nasal regurgitation
During swallowing, the soft palate and the uvula move superiorly to close off the nasopharynx, preventing food from entering the nasal cavity. When this process fails, the result is called nasal regurgitation. It is common in people with VPI, the myositides, and neuromuscular disease.
Inflammation
A child's swollen uvula with tonsils
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. This can cause problems with breathing, talking, and eating.
There are many theories about what causes the uvula to swell, including dehydration (e.g. from arid weather); excessive smoking or other inhaled irritants; snoring; allergic reaction; or a viral or bacterial infection. An aphthous ulcer which has formed on the uvula can also cause swelling and discomfort.[11]
If the swelling is caused by dehydration, drinking fluids may improve the condition. If the cause is a bacterial infection, gargling salt water may help. However, it can also be a sign of other problems. Some people with a history of recurring uvulitis have to carry an EpiPen containing Adrenaline (Epinephrine) to inject themselves whenever the uvulitis begins. A swollen uvula is not normally life threatening and subsides in a short time, typically within a day.
Society and culture
In some parts of Africa, including Ethiopia and Eritrea, the uvula or a section of it is ritually removed by a traditional healer.[12] In this case, the uvula may be noticeably shortened. It is not thought to contribute to velopharyngeal inadequacy, except in cases where the tonsils have also been removed.[13]
History
Etymology
In Latin, ūvula means 'little grape', the diminutive form of ūva 'grape' (of unknown origin). A swollen uvula was called "ūva."[14]
See also
- This article uses anatomical terminology; for an overview, see anatomical terminology.
- Uvula (disambiguation)
- Uvula piercing
- Tonsil
- Epiglottis
References
- ^ "eMedicine Definition".
- ^ Ten Cate's Oral Histology, Nanci, Elsevier, 2007, page 321
- ^ Illustrated Anatomy of the Head and Neck, Fehrenbach and Herring, Elsevier, 2012, page 108
- ^ "Split Uvula: Is It a Problem?". Retrieved 23 September 2007.
- ^ Shu, M.D., Jennifer (April 12, 2010). "Will a bifid uvula cause any problems?". CNN. Retrieved 2010-08-07.
- ^ McMillan, Julia A.; Feigin, Ralph D.; DeAngelis, Catherine; Jones, M. Douglas (2006). Oski's pediatrics: principles & practice (4th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 469. ISBN 0-7817-3894-6.
- ^ "Loeys-Dietz Syndrom Foundation". Retrieved 25 March 2010.
- ^ "Bifid Uvula and Aortic Aneurysm". Retrieved 12 November 2008.
- ^ Finkelstein Y, Meshorer A, Talmi Y, Zohar Y, Brenner J, Gal R (1992). "The riddle of the uvula.". Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 107 (3): 444–50. PMID 1408233.
- ^ Lehnert, Paul (3 August 2005). "Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty for obstructive sleep apnea". Retrieved 26 October 2006.
- ^ Biblo LA, Gilbert IA (May 1983). "Aphthous ulcer of the uvula and the painful burp". N. Engl. J. Med. 308 (19): 1168. doi:10.1056/NEJM198305123081922. PMID 6835348.
- ^ Ethiopian Refugees
- ^ Hartley B, Rowe-Jones J (1994). "Uvulectomy to prevent throat infections.". J Laryngol Otol 108 (1): 65–6. doi:10.1017/s0022215100125873. PMID 8133174.
- ^ The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (4th ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin. 2000. p. 1896. ISBN 0618082301.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Palatine uvula. |
- MedlinePlus Encyclopedia 001257 - Uvulitis
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Head and neck anatomy, digestive system: Mouth anatomy (TA A05.1–2, TH H3.04.01, GA 11.1110–2, 1125–1141)
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|
| Mouth |
Oral cavity
(including
mucosa) |
| Vestibule |
| Lip |
- Upper
- Lower
- Vermilion border
- Frenulum of lower lip
- Labial commissure of mouth
- Philtrum
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| Cheek |
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| Oral cavity proper |
Palate/
roof of mouth |
- Hard palate
- Soft palate
- Palatine raphe
- Incisive papilla
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| Gingiva |
- Interdental papilla
- Gingival sulcus
- Gingival margin
- Gingival fibers
- Junctional epithelium
- Mucogingival junction
- Sulcular epithelium
- Stippling
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- Periodontium: Cementum
- Gingiva
- Periodontal ligament
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| Glands |
- Parotid gland/Parotid duct
- Submandibular gland/Submandibular duct
- Sublingual gland/Major sublingual duct
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| Teeth |
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| Tongue |
- dorsum
- Taste bud
- Median sulcus
- Terminal sulcus
- Foramen cecum
- Lingual tonsils
- ventral surface
- Frenulum
- Fimbriated fold
- Sublingual caruncle
- Anterior
- Posterior
- Glossoepiglottic folds
- Lingual septum
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Oro-Pharynx/
fauces |
- Oropharyngeal isthmus/Isthmus of the fauces
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| Soft palate |
- Uvula
- Palatoglossal arch
- Palatopharyngeal arch
- Plica semilunaris of the fauces
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- Tonsillar fossa
- Palatine tonsil
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noco/cofa (c)/cogi/tumr, sysi
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