The uvula, medically known as the Palatine uvula, is the soft flap of tissue that hangs down at the edge of the throat, or more specifically, at the edge of the soft palate. The uvula can produce large quantities of fluid saliva in a short time, and is believed to be an accessory to speech (it plays a role in enunciating uvular consonants).

The uvula is made of muscle and connective tissue.

Over the years, many scientists have studied the uvula. Here are a few of the things scientists have hypothesized about the uvula over time:

1. it helped to guide the flow of food and water down the throat

2. it induces the gag reflex

3. it causes chronic coughing

4. it causes health problems, like sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and sleep apnea, as well as snoring.

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