Uvula: What It Is, Function & Importance

The thing that hangs from your inner top lip is called the uvula. It's a small, teardrop-shaped piece of tissue that hangs down from the soft palate, which is the back part of the roof of your mouth.

The uvula has a few important functions:

* Speech: It helps to create certain sounds, especially those that involve the back of the tongue, like "k" and "g."

* Swallowing: It helps to prevent food from going up your nose during swallowing by closing off the opening to the nasal cavity.

* Airway protection: It also plays a role in protecting your airway from foreign objects.

If you're ever concerned about your uvula or any other part of your mouth, be sure to talk to your doctor or a dentist.