What is the palate uvula?
The palatine uvula, otherwise known as the uvula, is the teardrop-shaped piece of soft tissue that hangs down from the roof of your mouth. It is part of the soft palate. The uvula is made from small amounts of thin connective tissue, saliva-producing glands, and muscle tissue.
What does UPPP stand for?
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is surgery to open the upper airways by taking out extra tissue in the throat. It may be done to treat mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or severe snoring.
Why would you remove the uvula?
What is a uvula removal surgery? The uvula (YOO-vyuh-luh) is the tissue that hangs down at the back of your throat. Having it removed can help open your airway and reduce vibrations when you breathe in and out. It can help to reduce snoring and other symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Does UPPP remove uvula?
UPPP involves removal of tissues that may include the uvula, soft palate, tonsils, adenoids and pharynx. In some instances, a small portion of the tongue may be removed as well.
Can you talk without a uvula?
The authors hypothesized that because the uvula and the ability to speak set humans apart from other mammals, the uvula might have a role in the speech process. An acquired absent uvula may be secondary to surgery or cultural practices, or it may be a complication of infection.
What happens if you touch your uvula?
When the uvula touches the throat or tongue, it can cause sensations like gagging or choking, although there is no foreign matter present. This can cause problems with breathing, talking, and eating.
What should I eat after Uppping?
You will have to stay on a soft diet for 4-6 weeks after a UPPP. A soft diet includes foods such as custard, pudding, applesauce, Jell-O, broth, Popsicles, yogurt, ice cream, etc. After a few days as tolerated, you can advance to eggs, cooked cereals such as Cream of Wheat or oatmeal, and pancakes.
Is UPPP surgery safe?
Risks for this surgery are: Damage to the muscles in the throat and soft palate. You may have some problems keeping liquids from coming up through your nose when drinking (called velopharyngeal insufficiency). Most often, this is only a temporary side effect.
How painful is a Uvulectomy?
You’ll be asleep and pain-free under general anesthesia. To do an uvulectomy, your doctor will use radiofrequency energy or an electric current to remove your uvula. The whole procedure takes about 15 to 20 minutes. For UPPP, they’ll use small cuts to remove extra tissue from the back of your throat.
Does uvula cause gag reflex?
Gag reflex − The uvula is part of the gag reflex. A gag reflex is an action when the muscles of the throat contract by being triggered with something touching the back of the throat. When the area of the soft palate is touched, it may induce a gagging sensation and even vomiting.