Uvula
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.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
May 26, 2010
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