Why Have Uvula?

That little dangly bit of flesh that hangs in the back of your throat is called the uvula. But, why is it even there? The name comes from the Latin word uvola and means “small bunch of grapes”. It was believed to have played a role in speech and immunology, back in ancient times, as well as feared and regarded as a potentially hazardous organ that could cause apnea and death.

Researchers have written in the journal Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, suggesting that in the 1990’s, the important function of the uvula may be due to …read more