The uvula is the small finger-shaped piece of tissue that hangs down from the soft palate in the back of the throat. It can usually be seen when a person opens his or her mouth wide.
Although the exact purpose of the uvula is not known, some experts believe that it helps keep food from going down the breathing passage when a person swallows.
| By | Healthwise Staff |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Jan Ulfberg - Sleep Medicine |
| Last Revised | May 26, 2010 |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.
