uvula

[yoo-vyuh-luh]

noun

Anatomy.

plural

uvulas, uvulae 

1. the small, fleshy, conical body projecting downward from the middle of the soft palate.

2. a similar structure in any organ of the body, especially one at the opening of the bladder.

uvula

/ ˈjuːvjʊlə /

noun

1. a small fleshy finger-like flap of tissue that hangs in the back of the throat and is an extension of the soft palate

uvula

1. A small mass of fleshy tissue that hangs from the back of the soft palate.

Word History and Origins

Origin of uvula¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Medieval Latin ūvula, equivalent to Latin ūva “grape” + -ula -ule

Word History and Origins

Origin of uvula¹

C14: from Medieval Latin, literally: a little grape, from Latin ūva a grape

Example Sentences

Plus, who among us learned what the uvula was just from this skit?

From Los Angeles Times

Unable to breathe - and after calling 999 - he said an ambulance paramedic told him it seemed likely his uvula - the fleshy hanging ball at the back of the throat - had been bitten by a spider.

From BBC

“Sometimes the tongue will just fall back against the soft palate and the uvula and tonsils, especially in a person who has a very small airway,” he says.

From Washington Post

Caleb had a floppy larynx and Sarah had a congested uvula that could have obstructed their airways.

From Seattle Times

Maybe that was where the uvula thing was.

From Literature