Uvula of palate

Anatomy and Topography

The palatine uvula is the central part of the soft palate (palatum molle or velum palatinum), which has the shape of an irregular quadrilateral. The uvula projects in the middle of the palatine velum.

Boundaries of the fauces:

• Superior: soft palate.
• Lateral: palatoglossal arches.
• Inferior: dorsum of the tongue (dorsum linguae).

The conical shape of the uvula is due to the fact that the number of muscle bundles within it gradually decreases posteriorly.

Structure: muscles of the uvula

The structural basis is formed by the paired uvular muscle (m. uvulae). It is represented by two muscle bundles that converge toward the midline.

• Origin: the bundles originate from the posterior nasal spine of the hard palate (spina nasalis posterior) and the palatine aponeurosis.
• Course of fibers: they course toward the midline and insert into the mucous membrane of the uvula. Most of the bundles attach to the palatine aponeurosis, resulting in the thickening of the median part to form the palatine raphe.
• Function: the muscles shorten the uvula and elevate it.

In addition to m. uvulae, located centrally, neighboring muscles participate in forming the soft palate apparatus: m. palatoglossus (in the palatoglossal arches), m. palatopharyngeus (in the palatopharyngeal arches), as well as the muscles that elevate and tense the palatine velum (m. levator veli palatini and m. tensor veli palatini).

Clinical significance and examination

Examination of the palatine uvula is performed as part of the oral cavity examination algorithm: after assessing the vestibule and the oral cavity proper, one proceeds to the fauces and pharynx.

Functional test: The patient is asked to open the mouth and say "ah". Normally, the palatine velum rises symmetrically, tensing equally on both sides, and the uvula lies strictly in the midline. Swallowing is unimpeded, and there is no nasal tone to the voice.

Signs of pathologies:

• Vagus nerve lesion: the soft palate sags on the affected side. Due to paresis of the pharyngeal constrictor muscles, the uvula deviates toward the healthy side. This is accompanied by a decreased gag reflex, swallowing disorders (dysphagia), and a nasal tone of voice (nasolalia) due to impaired isolation of the nasal cavity from the oral cavity.
• Maxillofacial trauma: In a Le Fort III fracture of the maxilla, the soft palate may be displaced posteriorly. In this case, the uvula begins to irritate the mucous membrane of the posterior pharyngeal wall, causing the patient to feel a foreign body sensation, choking, and periodic gagging.
• Inflammatory processes: In acute tonsillopharyngitis, the uvula becomes edematous against the background of hyperemia of the posterior pharyngeal wall and palatine tonsils.

Do not confuse with: cerebellar uvula

In anatomy, the term "uvula" is also applied to structures of the central nervous system. The uvula of the cerebellar vermis (uvula vermis) is part of the posterior lobe of the cerebellum. The cerebellar lingula (lingula cerebelli) in the anterior lobe is also distinguished. These structures belong to the brain and are not related to the oral cavity.

Class and exam questions

What else to study on this topic

• Soft palate (palatum molle)
• Vagus nerve (n. vagus)
• Fauces and palatine tonsils

Other topics in the "Anatomical Structures" section

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