The uvula is the small conical projection hanging from the middle of the free edge of the soft palate. It contains the musculus uvulae, loose connective tissue and many small mucous glands. It is the easiest part of the palate to see and so is a useful landmark on examination.
| Location | Midline of the posterior free border of the soft palate, hanging into the oropharyngeal isthmus |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Pharyngeal plexus, vagus nerve (musculus uvulae); Lesser palatine nerves (sensory) |
| Blood Supply | Lesser palatine arteries; Ascending palatine artery |
| Venous drainage |
|
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Adds bulk to the midline of the soft palate, helping it seal against the posterior pharyngeal wall, and contributes saliva to moisten the throat.
When a patient says 'ah', the uvula is pulled toward the healthy side if one vagus nerve is damaged, a quick bedside test of vagal function. A bifid uvula can be the only visible sign of a submucous cleft palate. The uvula may swell dramatically in allergic or hereditary angioedema and in infection, and it is trimmed or removed in some snoring and sleep apnoea operations.
Acute swelling of the uvula (Quincke oedema) from allergy, ACE inhibitors or hereditary angioedema, which can cause gagging and airway compromise.
Split uvula that may be harmless or may mark an underlying submucous cleft palate with speech and ear problems.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
