uvula

American  

[yoo-vyuh-luh] / ˈyu vyə lə /

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.

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uvula British  

/ 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

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uvula Scientific  

/ yo̅o̅′vyə-lə /

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

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Etymology

Origin of uvula

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

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

My first puff felt like a pair of tiny, dry fingers were pinching my uvula.

From The Guardian