Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Ians Daddy on 28/07/2003 05:34:36

Title: What is the uvula ?
Post by: Ians Daddy on 28/07/2003 05:34:36

Can someone please tell me what the hell the uvula is for? I just got into a debate about what that was for. So far, I can only conclude that it's for cartoon characters to punch like a speed-bag. Is there a better purpose for this little dangler?

Title: Re: What is the uvula ?
Post by: bezoar on 29/07/2003 14:31:29

I think the uvula has something to do with speech production and guttural sounds.

Bezoar

Title: Re: What is the uvula ?
Post by: Donnah on 29/07/2003 17:56:47

I had mine removed (sleep apnea) and it hasn't made much difference except that I don't choke on it at night and I can't immitate snoring sounds.

Title: Re: What is the uvula ?
Post by: Exodus on 29/07/2003 19:07:25

Did you get to keep it in a little pot?[:0]

Resident Tour Operator - The Naked Scientists

Title: Re: What is the uvula ?
Post by: Donnah on 30/07/2003 04:42:42

No, judging by the crappy job he did on my throat and nose (theoretically removing scar tissue) everything was hacked to bits.  I'd like to do a little rhinoplasty of my own on him[B)][xx(].  Is it common practice to do both air passages during one surgery?

Title: Re: What is the uvula ?
Post by: bezoar on 31/07/2003 03:23:08

But Donnah, you'll never be able to speak German!  
The surgery to the soft palate isn't the end all for sleep apnea, from what I'm reading.  There's a much less invasive laser procedure with a better recovery time, but too late for you.  What kind of scar tissue did you have in your nose?  Usually they do the nose surgery to correct a deviated septum.

Bezoar

Title: Re: What is the uvula ?
Post by: Donnah on 31/07/2003 16:55:48

Yes I suppose I'm Germanically challenged now.  Do you think I should sue[;)]?

I'm not sure what kind of scar tissue was there, though I suspect it was the kind that fattens the surgeon's bank account.  He said it looked like my nose had been broken several times, if that means anything.

Title: Re: What is the uvula ?
Post by: bezoar on 31/07/2003 16:57:48

That could certainly deviate your septum, but, usually people know it when their nose has been broken.  Had you taken any heavy blows to the nose?  Auto accidents?  Kids head butt your nose?

Bezoar

Title: Re: What is the uvula ?
Post by: Donnah on 31/07/2003 17:00:24

Encyclopedia to the face.  Now that's forced learning[B)][8)]!

Title: Re: What is the uvula ?
Post by: bezoar on 03/08/2003 22:35:15

I would sure learn to stay out of the way of big books!

Bezoar

Title: Re: What is the uvula ?
Post by: Broca on 28/08/2003 22:25:01

There are some who feel that the uvula is a vestigial anatomic structure with little purpose. others feel it is plays a part in speech and swallowing by sealing off the nasopharynx.

Title: Re: What is the uvula ?
Post by: Broca on 28/08/2003 23:14:07

and as the Saturday Night Live crew always said..."It'll behoove ya to care for your uvula!"

Title: Re: What is the uvula ?
Post by: Ians Daddy on 28/08/2003 23:29:08

One time when I was hung over, I asked a nurse friend of mine why my Vulva was swollen. I figured it was from the snoring while I was drunk. She politely corrected me after her laughter.

Title: Re: What is the uvula ?
Post by: george on 28/08/2003 23:47:08

There's some pretty wierd anatomy going on with you iansdaddy - not only are you a man with a vulva, but you also breathe through your's.

Still, makes a change from talking out of your arse like a lot of people I meet !

George