A swollen uvula with additional upper mouth ulcer in a run down adult (common cold). A bifid or bifurcated uvula is a split or cleft uvula. Newborns with cleft palate often also have a split uvula. The bifid uvula results from incomplete fusion of the palatine shelves but it is considered only a slight form of clefting.
What causes uvulitis and what causes it?
Both bacterial and viral infections are capable of causing uvulitis, including strep throat, mononucleosis, or respiratory tract infections. It’s worth noting that anything capable of infecting the uvula is also able to infect the tonsils and epiglottis, a muscle at the back of the tongue, causing them to swell as well.
Why is my uvula swollen after surgery?
Certain STDs, such as gonorrhea and syphilis, could cause your uvula to become swollen. Trauma. Your uvula could become injured as a result of certain surgical procedures, such as tonsillectomy. Uvulitis could also happen from intubation during surgery with general anesthesia.
What causes a bifid uvula?
A bifid uvula is also sometimes seen in Loeys-Dietz syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects connective tissue. This syndrome is associated with heart problems and can predispose a person to bulging, weak arteries, known as aneurysms. Weak arteries can burst and cause internal bleeding, and even death.
What is the uvula?
The uvula is the piece of tissue that hangs down in the back of your throat. The tissue is part of your soft palate, which is the muscle and connective tissue of the roof of your mouth.
What does it mean if your uvula is split?
What is Bifid Uvula? A bifid uvula, also known as a cleft uvula, is a uvula that is split in two. The distance between the two halves of the uvula may be narrow or wide. A bifid uvula may be an isolated, benign finding, or it may be related to submucous cleft palate.
Is bifid uvula rare?
A bifid or bifurcated uvula exists in two percent of the general population. Its significance lies in its associations: recurrent otitis media, submucous cleft palate, and in rare cases, aortic aneurysm and rupture at an early age.
Is a bifid uvula normal?
At other times, it can take a little longer or be an incidental finding not associated with any health problems. However, sometimes a bifid uvula is an indication of a submucous cleft palate. This is when there is a cleft or split in the palate under the thin membrane of tissue that covers the roof of the mouth.
What does a submucous cleft look like?
In many cases, the submucous cleft can be seen by looking in the mouth. The uvula may be small, square or bifid (split down the middle). The soft palate may appear to be thin or bluish in color. When the child says “ah,” the velum may seem to go up in the shape of a tent.
How common is it to have two Uvulas?
Learning points. A bifid uvula, while a rare but often benign sign, can sometimes be indicative of a submucosal cleft palate and is associated with recurrent middle ear infections and nasal regurgitation on swallowing. Finding a bifid uvula in an adult patient is an extremely rare occurrence.
Can uvulitis cause death?
Life-threatening. It can lead to swelling of the air passage in the mouth or throat. Severe swelling can block your breathing and cause death.
What are the odds of having a split uvula?
A bifid uvula is seen in 1 out of every 76 people. For many of these people, the splitting of the uvula will cause no problems. If it does cause issues with speech or eating, speech and feeding therapies or surgery may be recommended.
Can uvula cause death?
It can lead to swelling of the air passage in the mouth or throat. Severe swelling can block your breathing and cause death. Watch for the earliest signs of this illness.
Can you talk without a uvula?
Yes. It's totally possible to live without your uvula. While it may take some getting used to, most people don't have trouble with speaking or swallowing after a uvulectomy.
What does a healthy uvula look like?
The uvula should not be neglected when evaluating the oral cavity for any discrepancies. The uvula is a fleshy, soft tissue in the middle of the soft palate that hangs down in the back of the throat in front of the tonsils, resembling an oval or teardrop shape (see Figure 1).
Why is my uvula not moving?
Because the uvula continues to develop after birth, it’s not always readily apparent in newborns. A doctor may suspect a bifid uvula, however, if a baby regurgitates their food through their nose. This is an indication that the uvula isn’t moving their soft palate to a closed position. Extremely nasal-sounding speech may also indicate ...
What is the uvula in Latin?
It’s shaped like a small teardrop or punching bag. In fact, uvula means “little grape” in Latin. The uvula is part of the soft palate. The soft palate is the muscular (not the bony and hard) section of the roof of your mouth. The uvula serves several purposes, from lubricating the back of your mouth to directing nasal secretions to your throat.
What is the condition that causes a person to have a bulging artery?
Loeys-Dietz syndrome. A bifid uvula is also sometimes seen in Loeys-Dietz syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects connective tissue. This syndrome is associated with heart problems and can predispose a person to bulging, weak arteries, known as aneurysms. Weak arteries can burst and cause internal bleeding, and even death.
What is a bifid uvula?
A bifid uvula is an uvula that is split, or forked. It’s also called a cleft uvula. The uvula is the dangling piece of fibrous flesh you can see in the back of your mouth, just in front of your tonsils. It’s shaped like a small teardrop or punching bag. In fact, uvula means “little grape” in Latin.
Why does the uvula help with food?
It helps the soft palate close when eating and drinking, preventing food and liquid from entering your nose. It helps move the soft palate to the back of your throat so words and sounds are properly enunciated. People with a bifid uvula will have more trouble moving their soft palate during times of eating, drinking, and speaking.
Can a submucous cleft palate cause speech problems?
Research shows that 30 percent of people with a submucous cleft palate also have a bifid uvula. Treatment is usually only needed if the submucous cleft palate is causing speech and eating difficulties.
Can a cleft palate be hereditary?
Both a cleft palate and a bifid uvula may be hereditary. They can also be the result of genetic conditions or caused by environmental factors. Smoking, certain medications, and diabetes can increase the risk of delivering a baby with a cleft palate.
Why do children have bifid uvulas?
Genetic, environmental, and toxic factors may be possible causes for a child being born with a bifid uvula. However, the definitive cause is unknown. If it is genetic, then the likelihood of a child having it will depend upon the number of people affected in a family, and how closely they are related to the child.
When does bifid uvula occur?
Bifid uvula occurs between the 7th and 12th week of pregnancy because of an error in the fusion of the uvula. For environmental and toxic causes, some risk factors have been identified as increasing the chance of having a baby with a cleft palate.
What is a bifid uvula?
What are the causes? A bifid uvula is an abnormal split or division in the uvula, or tissue that hangs down at the end of the soft palate in the roof of the mouth. A bifid uvula is usually identified at birth when a doctor looks at the inside of a baby’s mouth to check the uvula.
How to tell if a baby has a bifid uvula?
A bifid uvula is usually identified at birth when a doctor looks at the inside of a baby’s mouth to check the uvula. In some cases, it is discovered before birth on an ultrasound. At other times, it can take a little longer or be an incidental finding not associated with any health problems. However, sometimes a bifid uvula is an indication ...
Can a bifid uvula cause a cleft?
For most people, having a bifid uvula causes no complications, and they can lead a normal and healthful life. For others who have a submucous cleft, it can cause problems ranging from speaking and eating to being able to hear.
Can a bifid uvula cause speech problems?
Speech therapy may be recommended as a treatment, if bifid uvula is causing abnormal speech. A bifid uvula is benign, and therefore its mere presence does not necessitate treatment. However, it is essential that a child born with a bifid uvula is examined for a possible submucous cleft palate. If present, the cleft palate is monitored closely ...
Is a bifid uvula a medical condition?
Usually any complications will arise in childhood, and be addressed before they can progress. There are no medical complications with a bifid uvula if it is an isolated condition. However, it is important to eliminate the association with a submucous cleft, as that can have clinical repercussions.
Purpose of Your Uvula
Your uvula is made of connective tissue, glands, and small muscle fibers. It secretes large amounts of saliva that keep your throat moist and lubricated. It also helps keep food or fluids from ending up in the space behind your nose when you swallow.
Why You May Need Your Uvula Removed
If it blocks your airway. Your uvula sits in front of your throat. If it’s too big, it may affect your breathing. A longer or swollen uvula could cause problems for your windpipe.
How to Prepare for Uvula Removal Surgery
When prepping for your surgery, a few days in advance your doctor may tell you to do the following:
Side Effects of Uvula Removal Surgery
While this surgery should be simple, there are some risks that are associated with removing your uvula.
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Why is my uvula enlarged?
The uvula is thought to have some involvement with snoring or sleep apnea since it’s been observed to be enlarged in individuals experiencing these conditions. However, it’s unclear if the uvula’s size causes these issues or if the enlargement is the result of stresses caused by snoring or sleep apnea.
Why does a uvula swell?
Much like the tonsils, a uvula infection can develop if the immune system is unable to dispatch a trapped pathogen. As the uvula becomes infected, it will inflame and swell. Both bacterial and viral infections are capable of causing uvulitis, including strep throat, mononucleosis, or respiratory tract infections.
How to tell if uvula is inflamed?
The most obvious symptom (besides pain) is that visual inspection will reveal an inflamed, enlarged uvula. The swelling can cause certain specific problems over its duration, including: 1 Trouble swallowing, as the enlarged uvula gets in the way of food. 2 Swollen tonsils. It’s rare for the uvula to be the only part of the mouth that swells, so seeing enlarged tonsils or other areas is not uncommon. 3 Trouble breathing, especially if the tonsils are also affected. 4 Difficulty talking. Due to the role the uvula plays in sound production and how swelling can affect other parts of the throat, hoarseness can develop. 5 Gagging, as the uvula potentially brushes against the back of the tongue and triggers the gag reflex. 6 A persistent feeling of something being lodged in your throat. 7 Possibly obstructive sleep apnea if the uvula is able to block the airway when lying down. 8 Nasal regurgitation (where food/drink comes out of your nose). 9 Fever (if caused by infection). 10 Pain.
What is the dangly thing that sits at the back of your throat?
The uvula is that dangly thing that sits at the back of your throat. Technically its full name is the palatine uvula but the full term isn’t normally necessary to use. Much like the tonsils, another easy-to-forget feature of the mouth, a swollen uvula can occur under certain circumstances. A swollen, enlarged uvula can be extremely uncomfortable ...
What is the function of the uvula?
Along with the tonsils, the uvula helps trap microorganisms and prevents them from getting further into the body. The uvula also helps govern the gag reflex and the reflex’s strength partially depend s on how sensitive a person’s uvula happens to be.
What is the best treatment for a swollen uvula?
The main medications that are used in cases of a swollen uvula are antibiotics and steroids. Antibiotics should be used only if a bacterial cause has been identified and should be taken for the full course in order to ensure full eradication.
What is a cleft lip?
A cleft lip or cleft palate is a type of congenital trait which affects the roof of the mouth. This can result in changes to the uvula such as it being enlarged, off-place, shrunken, or missing altogether.
