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Glite Dictionary
uvula

uvula

2 7.9
A small piece of soft flesh that hangs down from the back of the roof of the mouth
  • noun
  • /ˈjuːvjələ/
translation icon : úvula
  • The doctor explained that the uvula helps prevent food from entering the nasal cavity.
  • uvula and palate
  • soft uvula
  • uvula is amputated

You've played virtual tongue boxing with my uvula.

Examples

  • An aphthous ulcer that has formed on the uvula can also cause swelling and discomfort.

    Blog text (23)

  • Webbing can extend all the way to the tip of the uvula.

    Academic text (1999)

  • The uvula can be absent, small, medium, or large.

    Academic text (1999)

  • The soft palate and the uvula were unaffected.

    Academic text (2005)

  • Everyone has a uvula.

    Monster House (2006)

  • The right tonsil had medialized, and the uvula had shifted to the left.

    Academic text (2005)

  • Apparent left peritonsillar swelling is pushing the uvula to the right.

    Academic text (1996)

  • The procedure involves retracting the uvula toward the junction of the hard and soft palate.

    Academic text (1999)

  • Snoring is the result of vibration of the palate, the uvula, and the soft tissues of the lateral oropharyngeal wall.

    Academic text (1999)

  • Flexible transnasal laryngoscopy with the Müller maneuver was used to confirm that the uvula and soft palate were the most likely sources of snoring.

    Academic text (2008)

Surface Forms

uvula singular
uvulas plural

Etymology

The word uvula comes from the Latin uva, which means 'grape', and uvula originally meant 'little grape'. It hangs down like a tiny grape at the back of the mouth, which is why we use this name for the small bit of flesh.