what is that thing in the back of your throat?

Question

what is that thing in the back of your throat? it looks like a little speedbag. also what does it do.

Answer 1

That "dangly thing at the back of your throat," sort of between your tonsils, is called the uvula. It's part of the soft palate, a structure that helps make up the vocal tract. Although the uvula is used to make certain sounds in other languages (though not in English), its exact function remains unknown. Even otolaryngologists, medical professionals who specialize in the ears, nose, and throat, still ponder this mysterious little appendage.

Answer 2

It is your uvula.

Definition of Uvula

Uvula: The small piece of soft tissue that can be seen dangling down from the soft palate over the back of the tongue. The uvula is described variously shaped like a U, a tear or a grape. Its name comes from the Latin word for "grape," uva.

The uvula has its own little muscle, the musculus uvuae, to help it stiffen and change shape, so it helps fill in the space at the back of the throat. It helps keep food from going down the wrong way down the breathing passage when one swallows. Singers credit the uvula with letting them produce a vibrato, a wavy up-and-down sound.

The uvula is one of the soft-tissue structures commonly blamed for snoring and for sleep apnea (a break in breathing during sleep). Some treatments for these conditions involve removing excess flesh from the uvula and surrounding areas. The surgery, called uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, is designed to tighten up flabby tissues and enlarge the upper air passages.

Answer 3

Hi. It's called a uvula. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palatine_uvula . Learned this from Barney Fife. http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery?s=Barney+Fife&gwp=13

Answer 4

In early life there is what we so called Thymus Gland but it is eventually disappeared as the person is getting older but there are some people who still have their thymus gland that it never disappears but this is only happening to few people...

Answer 5

It's your tonsils. It's a collector of bad stuff so you don't get sick. At least that's what I was told about the use. They are your tonsils though. That much I do know.

Answer 6

Tonsils !

Answer 7

its your uvula
if you touch it you will throwup and or gag

Answer 8

good luck on your homework.

Answer 9

dunno...i couldn't even find it on the internet---sorry........