uvula

[ yoo-vyuh-luh ]

noun

, Anatomy.

, plural u·vu·las, u·vu·lae [yoo, -vy, uh, -, lee].

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

/ yo̅o̅′vyə-lə /

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

The researchers determined that it was part of the soft palate—the little sheet of muscle along the roof of the mouth from which the uvula hangs in humans.

From Popular-Science

His directions for the removal of the uvula are very definite.

From Project Gutenberg

The uvula, the pillars of the palate, and the tonsils are parts of the structure.

From Project Gutenberg

The elongated uvula is to be snipped off, and abscesses of the tonsils opened tout comme chez nous.

From Project Gutenberg

Dickens noticed the uvular tone of voice in young thieves, due to deformity of the uvula.

From Project Gutenberg

Uvula, ū′vū-la, n. the fleshy conical body suspended from the palate over the back part of the tongue.

From Project Gutenberg