What's the purpose of the uvula? (the little thing that hangs at the back of your throat)?

Answer 1

Try Yodeling without it ~

Answer 2

The uvula, is a muscular flap of tissue that hangs down from the back of the mouth from a structure called the soft palate. The soft palate is part of what separates the mouth (oral cavity) from the nose and the back of the throat (nasopharynx). The main purpose of the uvula is to close of the nasopharynx when you are swallowing or speaking. As far as I can tell, the uvula has no immunological functions.

Answer 3

It plays an important part in pronouncing several consonants. It's more useful in languages like Arabic, Hebrew an French than English.
If your uvula it's malfunctioning, you would talk very nasal.

It also helps avoid food entering the nasal cavity.

Answer 4

Honestly? I dunno....
But it's about as useful as a man nipples belly buttons!!!
Maybe it helps with gag reflex or something......

Personally, I think it was just put there for entertainment. Notice when you are sick and have a sore throat - that lil' dangly tends to pick and choose different sides of your throat to "stick to"?

Ha ha ha.

Meg -

Answer 5

It closes off the right tube so food and fluid don't go down your wind pipe into the lungs etc isn't it called an epiglottis?

Answer 6

To prevent food going into the trachea

Answer 7

Good question. I call it the punching bag. My brother had it removed in hopes that it would reduce his snoring. Didn't work by the way.

Answer 8

It's purpose is to make people ask what it's for.

Answer 9

Absolutely, it looks cool when you open your mouth and look down your throat.

Answer 10

To drive us nuts while you men snore at night with it!