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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1989

Corticonuclear and corticovestibular projections from the uvula in the albino rat: differential projections from sublobuli of the uvula.

The organization of the corticonuclear and corticovestibular projections from the uvula was investigated in the albino rat by an autoradiographic method. The corticonuclear fibers from sublobule a of the uvula terminated in the caudoventral part of the medial cerebellar nucleus, and the caudomedial part of the posterior interpositus nucleus with mediolateral topography. The medial and lateral portions of the sublobule projected to the medial cerebellar and posterior interpositus nuclei, respectively. The corticovestibular fibers from sublobule a terminated in the dorsal and rostral parts of the superior vestibular nucleus, the dorsal part of the lateral vestibular nucleus, and the caudomedial part of the spinal vestibular nucleus. However, the corticonuclear fibers from sublobuli b and c of the uvula terminated additionally in the ventromedial part of the lateral cerebellar nucleus, while the corticovestibular fibers from these sublobuli terminated additionally in the subnucleus y of the vestibular complex, with probable termination in the medial vestibular nucleus. The cortical region which sent efferent projections to the ventromedial part of the lateral cerebellar nucleus and the subnucleus y was located laterally in sublobuli b and c of the uvula. These differential projection patterns from the dorsal and ventral sublobuli suggest the difference of the functional correlates between the sublobuli in the uvula.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Differential mossy fiber projections to the dorsal and ventral uvula in the cat.

The brainstem afferents to the uvula were studied by using retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase in the cat. Findings indicate differential afferent projections to the ventral and dorsal uvula. Major sources projecting to the ventral uvula include the caudal parts of the medial and inferior vestibular nuclei, the x- and f-groups of the vestibular nuclei, the dorsal and central parts of the superior vestibular nucleus, the rostral dorsomedial part of the paramedian nucleus of the pontine nuclei, the caudal part of the prepositus hypoglossal nucleus, and the infratrigeminal nucleus. Labeled cells in the vestibular nuclei were 74.7% of the total number of labeled cells in cat 40. On the other hand, the major sources projecting to the dorsal uvula are the peduncular, paramedian, and lateral nuclei of the pontine nuclei at the rostral and intermediate levels. Labeled cells in the pontine nuclei comprised 82.1% of the total number of labeled cells in cat 1. Findings also indicate that the lateral part of the ventral uvula receives input mainly from the pontine nuclei, whereas the medial part of the ventral uvula receives input mainly from the vestibular nuclei. Mediolateral differences were not found for the dorsal uvula. These mossy fiber zones are mediolaterally wide, with a dorsoventral partition in the uvula, in contrast to the climbing fiber zones, which are narrow (about 0.4 mm) and extend longitudinally throughout the uvula. There are quantitative differences in afferent sources to the ventral uvula and flocculus, both of which belong to the vestibulocerebellum. The largest afferent sources for the ventral uvula are the vestibular nerve and nuclei, whereas the largest sources for the flocculus are the reticular formation and raphe nuclei. These quantitative differences may have an important role for differential functions between the ventral uvula and flocculus. It has been suggested that the ventral uvula controls the velocity storage integrator of the vestibuloocular and optokinetic reflexes, whereas the flocculus is responsible for rapid changes of eye velocity in these reflexes.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Afferent projections to the uvula in the cat. II. Mossy fiber projections].

The mossy fiber projections to the uvula of the cerebellum were studied by means of retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in the cat. Following large and small injections into the uvula, distribution of the labeled cells in the brainstem nuclei was investigated. The results showed different afferent projections between the dorsal and ventral uvula. Major sources projecting to the dorsal uvula were the peduncular, paramedian, and lateral nuclei of the pontine nuclei. Labeled cells found in the pontine nuclei amounted to 81.6% of the total number of labeled cells in cat 1. On the other hand, major sources projecting to the ventral uvula were the caudal aspect of the medial and inferior vestibular nuclei, the x- and f-groups of the vestibular nuclei, the dorsal and central aspect of the superior vestibular nucleus, the rostral dorsomedial aspect of the paramedian nucleus of the pontine nuclei, the caudal aspect of the prepositus hypoglossal nucleus, and the infratrigeminal nucleus. Labeled cells in the vestibular nuclei amounted to 72.1% of the total number of the labeled cells in the cat 40. It was revealed that the lateral aspect of the ventral uvula receives inputs from the pontine nuclei, whereas the medial part of the ventral uvula receives inputs from the vestibular nuclei. Mediolateral differences were not found in the dorsal uvula. These mossy fiber zones were mediolaterally wide, and the dorsal uvula was different from the ventral uvula with regard to mossy fiber projection.

Afferent Pathways↗
PubMed2000

[Studies of the histomorphology and function of the uvula].

BACKGROUND: Alternations in pharyngeal structure and function are considered fundamental in the pathogenesis of snoring or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The physiological function of the uvula as a dynamic sealing of the nasopharynx prevents a "craniocaudal aspiration" during deglutition. The oropharyngeal soft tissues and the uvula are known to play an important role in affecting the oropharyngeal airflow resistance but studies about alterations in the histomorphological uvula structure are controversial. METHODS: We studied the histomorphological tissue composition of the uvula (midsagittal and transversal sections) in 142 patients who underwent uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) or uvulopalatoplasty (UPP) for snoring and by autopsy in 30 normal subjects not known to have been snoring. Statistical comparisons were controlled for differences caused by age and body mass index. RESULTS: The uvula was found to be significantly longer in patients with snoring than in control subjects. Patients with snoring had a significantly greater percentage of fat content and connective tissue in combination with a muscle atrophy in the uvula than did normal subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The disturbance of the specific muscular composition and formation causes a reduction of muscular tonus and a loss of muscular contraction. The uvula is destabilized on the basis of a missing skeletal and cartilaginous brace. The uvula destabilization causes a narrowing of the pharyngeal airway that could lead to an increased oropharyngeal airflow resistance with an intensified passive uvula movement and vibration during mouth breathing.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

The riddle of the uvula.

Since ancient times, the uvula has been a subject of interesting and contradictory observations. On the one hand, it was regarded as having a functional role in speech and in immunology, but on the other hand it was regarded as a potentially hazardous organ, possibly responsible for sudden infant death syndrome. None of these hypotheses, however, has been proved. In a previous study on patients undergoing uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, we suggested that the most important function of the uvula is connected with the muscularis uvula. Its function could be related to drinking while bending over. This previous assumption was that the uvula is a phylogenetic remnant from mammals that drink while bending their neck downward. In the present study, the soft palate of eight different mammals was macroscopically and microscopically studied and compared. Of all animals in the study, a small underdeveloped uvula was found only in two baboons. We found that the human uvula consists of an intermix of serous and seromucous glandular masses, muscular tissue, and large excretory canals. The serous and seromucous glands are absent in the other mammals. Thus, the uvula is a highly sophisticated structure, capable of producing a large quantity of fluid saliva that can be excreted in a short time. Both uvula and speech serve to differentiate human beings from animals. Our conclusion is that the uvula is possibly an accessory organ of speech, and may be another marker of human evolution that differentiates man from other mammals.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Olivary branching projections to the flocculus, nodulus and uvula in the rabbit. I. An electrophysiological study.

Olivocerebellar branching projections to the flocculus, nodulus and uvula were studied electrophysiologically in pigmented rabbits anesthetized with pentobarbital and halothane. Neurons in the dorsal cap of the inferior olive were antidromically activated by stimulation of the contralateral flocculus, nodulus and uvula. The antidromic responses in the dorsal cap from the flocculus, nodulus and uvula partially occluded with each other. Electrical stimulation of the nodulus (or uvula) evoked early and late climbing fiber responses in the flocculus with latencies of 4.0 ms and 10.0 ms, respectively. The early response was resistant to repetitive stimulation and not affected by interruption of the olivocerebellar fibers at the lower medulla, while the late response was abolished by these two procedures. This indicated that the early response was evoked through climbing fiber branches to the flocculus and nodulus (or uvula) as an axon reflex, while the late response was evoked via the inferior olive. Of 76 Purkinje cells in the flocculus, 35.6% showed climbing fiber activation through branches to the nodulus and/or uvula, 70% of which were orthodromically activated through climbing fibers from the contralateral optic tract. Electrical stimulation of the flocculus or uvula evoked the early and late climbing fiber responses in the nodulus. Of 60 Purkinje cells in the nodulus, 63.4% showed axon reflex activation from the flocculus and/or uvula, 42% of which were activated through climbing fibers from the contralateral optic tract. These findings demonstrated that the flocculus, nodulus and uvula receive branching climbing fiber projection from the inferior olive, a part of which conveys visual information.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2006

Floating the uvula: an intraoperative method for detecting bifidity.

A bifid uvula, midline diastasis of the palatal muscles, and notching of the posterior hard palate have classically formed a triad diagnosing submucosal clefts. The uvula has thus served as a tool for clinicians to detect the earliest signs of clefting. In this case report, we discuss how mucosal lining may be held together by mucous viscosity, making it difficult to detect notching or a grossly bifid uvula. We demonstrate a simple intraoperative technique to easily overcome this force. This paper involves a case report of an 8-year-old female undergoing an adenotonsillectomy. A previously undetected bifid uvula was found only after floating the uvula in normal saline solution. This changed our surgical approach from a complete to a partial adenoidectomy. A bifid uvula may be considered the earliest form of a cleft palate, and more importantly, it has been shown in the literature to be associated with other anomalies as submucosal cleft, hyoplastic eustachian tube orifice, and absence of the salpingopharyngeal folds. The intraoperative technique of floating the uvula helps to overcome mucous viscosity and identify an otherwise missed bifid uvula.

Adenoidectomy↗
PubMed1976

The olivocerebellar projection in the cat as studied with the method of retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase. II. The projection to the uvula.

Following injections of small quantities of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) suspension in the uvula of the cat, the distribution of labeled cells in the inferior olive has been mapped. The findings confirm the conclusion made on the basis of studies of retrograde cell loss in the olive following ablations of the uvula (Brodal, '40b) that two small olivary subdivisions, the nucleus beta and the dorsomedial cell column project heavily to the uvula. In addition the HRP-study shows that the uvula receives a smaller number of fibers from two circumscribed areas of the contralateral medial accessory olive. These areas appear to project to the lateralmost parts of the uvula (fig. 4). The findings thus support the presence of a longitudinal zonal subdivision in the uvula. Labeled cells are found in the nucleus beta and the dorsomedial cell column also following injections of the fastigial nucleus and to a lesser degree of lobulus VII of the vermis (Hoddevik et al. 76). This may be due to collateral branching of olivary efferents. There is some evidence for a topographical correlation between dorsal and ventral parts of the uvula and rostral and caudal parts, respectively, of the nucleus beta and the dorsomedial cell column. This may be related to functional differences between the two parts of the uvula.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Morphology of the uvula in obstructive sleep apnea.

Alterations in pharyngeal structure and function are considered fundamental in the pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, little is known about morphologic features of the pharynx in patients with OSA. We therefore studied the tissue composition of the uvula (midsagittal section) in patients with OSA, using a quantitative, morphometric point-counting technique. Uvula tissue was obtained by uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) in 33 patients (mean number of apneas per hour of sleep = 32.7 +/- 5.2) and by autopsy in 22 normal subjects not known to have OSA. All statistical comparisons were controlled for differences caused by age and body mass index. Patients with OSA had a significantly greater percentage of muscle in the uvula (18.1 +/- 1.9% versus 9.3 +/- 2.1%, p = 0.02) than did normal subjects. A significant difference in fat content was also found (9.5 +/- 1.4% in patients versus 4.0 +/- 1.0% in normal subjects, p less than 0.02). These differences between patients with OSA and control subjects could not be accounted for by anthropometric or sex differences. The percentage of uvula fat tissue was significantly related to the frequency of apneas and hypopneas in sleep (r = 0.43, p less than 0.01). Uvula morphology in 6 nonapneic snorers undergoing UPPP was similar to that of patients with OSA. We conclude that the uvula in patients with OSA contains more muscle and fat than the uvula in control subjects, possibly contributing to pharyngeal narrowing in OSA.

Female↗
PubMed2002

[The relationship of lingua and uvula in OSAS].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the relationship between lingual base and uvula, the relationship between lingua and jaw dentition in normal adults, snorers and patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and to study the difference of the relationships among them. METHOD: 21 patients with OSAS, 25 snorer and 30 normal adults were included in the study. The relationship between lingua and uvula and the relationship between lingual base and jaw dentition were observed. The difference of the relationships among the OSAS patients, snorers and normal adults were studied. RESULT: Among the OSAS patients, snorer and normal adults, there are obviously difference in the relationship between lingua and uvula and the relationships between lingual base and jaw dentition. In normal adults, the lingua below to jaw dentition and the uvula is visible at opening of mouth; in snorers, the lingua match the jaw dentition and the uvula is visible at pronunciation; in OSAS patients, the lingua tower above the jaw dentition and the uvula is sightless at pronunciation. CONCLUSION: The study suggests that the enlarge of lingua and uvula be the one of etiology of OSAS.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Morphologic significance of bifid uvula.

Bifid uvula is often regarded as a marker for submucous cleft palate although this relationship has not been fully confirmed. The reason for the tacitly assumed connection between these two anomalies has, in part, been perpetuated by the generally accepted definition of submucous cleft palate as the triad of bifid uvula, notching of the hard palate, and muscular diastasis of the soft palate. Recently, investigations have provided evidence of more subtle manifestations of submucous cleft palate by the use of nasopharyngoscopic examination of the palate and pharynx. It has been determined that submucous cleft palate can occur even when a peroral examination shows an intact uvula. This finding places the "marker" relationship in question. In order to determine the frequency of association between bifid uvula and submucous clefting, a total ascertainment of children with bifid uvula from a suburban pediatric practice was examined nasopharyngoscopically. It was determined that in all but two cases, children with bifid uvula had some or all of the landmarks of submucous cleft palate. Several of the children were found to have velopharyngeal insufficiency and mildly hypernasal speech. This finding prompts caution in the recommendation of adenoidectomy in the presence of bifid uvula.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Zonal organization of climbing fiber projections to the uvula in the cat.

Climbing fiber projections from the inferior olive to the uvula of the cerebellum were studied in the cat by using retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase. Following large and small injections into various parts of the uvula, the distribution of labeled cells in the inferior olive was investigated. The findings indicate six longitudinal zones extending throughout the dorsal and ventral uvula: the caudal part of the nucleus beta projects to a most medially located zone (caudal beta zone) with a width of about 0.4 mm; the rostral part of the nucleus beta projects to a zone located at about 0.6 mm from the midline (rostral beta zone); the caudal part of the medial accessory olive (MAO) projects to a zone (caudal MAO zone) located lateral to the rostral beta zone; the dorsomedial cell column projects to a zone (dorsomedial cell column zone) located in the intermediate part of the uvula at about 1.2 mm from the lateral edge of the uvula; the ventral lamella of the principal olive (PO) projects to a zone (ventral lamella of PO zone) about 0.7 mm from the lateral edge of the uvula; finally, the rostral part of the MAO projects to the most lateral zone (rostral MAO zone). These conclusions are in general agreement with those of earlier studies and also provide a more detailed zonal configuration of climbing fiber projections to the uvula.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Why do we have a uvula?: literature review and a new theory.

From ancient times up to the present day many different functions and conditions have been attributed to the uvula, many speculative and some with a more scientific basis. The uvula has been shown to have the ability to produce and secrete large quantities of thin saliva. A common complication of surgery involving removal of the uvula is pharyngeal dryness. We have observed that on phonation and swallowing the uvula swings back and forth in the oropharynx. We present a review of the literature on the uvula and propose a theory that the uvula bastes the throat and thereby helps keep it moist and well lubricated.

Deglutition↗
PubMed2005

Revised uvulopalatopharyngoplasty with uvula preservation and its clinical study.

OBJECTIVES: A revised uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is reported for reducing the surgical complications without compromising the response. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A new method of performing UPPP was designed, in which the uvula is preserved, but a larger portion of the soft palate is removed. This new procedure is called the 'revised UPPP with uvula preservation' (Han's UPPP or H-UPPP), the characteristics of which are as follows: complete preservation of the uvula; larger portion of the soft palate resected (with the levator palati and tensor palati remaining intact); the adipose tissue in the space of the velum palati is removed; the preserved uvula will become a 'normal' one by the contraction of scar tissue on both sides of the musculus palato-uvularis and the lower margin of the tensor palati. 68 cases of obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome had been treated with H-UPPP between September 1998 and May 2001. RESULTS: Polysomnography was performed for all 68 cases 6 months postoperatively with a surgical response of 69.12%, defined as a >50% reduction of the apnea-hypopnea index and <20 apneic pauses/h; no palatopharyngeal incompetency or palatopharyngeal stenosis. Anatomic measurements showed that the preserved uvula in H-UPPP begins to retract 2 weeks postoperatively, and the preserved uvula becomes 'normal' in 3-6 months. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that H-UPPP is an effective surgery and produces fewer complications compared with the classic UPPP.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1992

Prevalence of cleft uvula among school children in kindergarten through grade five.

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of bifid uvula among elementary school children in grades K through 5. Three examiners performed independent intraoral examinations of 709 children enrolled in a Jacksonville, Florida metropolitan public school. The structure of the uvula was evaluated as normal or bifid. If bifid, the cleft was classified as: (a) notched, (b) extending up to 1/4 the length of the uvula, (c) extending from 1/4 to 3/4 of the length of the uvula, or (d) extending the full length of the uvula. Prevalence of some form of uvular cleft was observed among 16 (2.26%) of the children while full length uvular cleft was found in only two (0.3%) of the children. These findings are congruent with percentages reported in other studies. It is recommended that speech-language pathologists identify children with bifid uvulas and provide appropriate counseling and follow-up study.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2002

Evidence that taste buds are not present on the human adult uvula.

We conducted a study to investigate whether taste buds are present on the human adult uvula. Our impetus was to determine whether surgical procedures that involve removal of the uvula can affect taste perception. Five human uvulae were removed via a modified carbon dioxide laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty in an outpatient office setting. The uvulae were serially sectioned and stained with a solution specific for membrane-bound calcium-modulated adenosine triphosphatase, a high concentration of which is found in taste receptors. Examination of the stained sections under light microscopy failed to show that any taste receptors were present in any of the uvulae. This finding suggests that the taste disturbances noted after surgical procedures involving removal of the uvula are not attributable to a loss of taste receptors.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Value of preservation of uvula in uvulopalatopharyngoplasty].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of the modified Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) where uvula is preserved in the operation, and whether the postoperative complications are diminished. METHODS: Thirty consecutive patients with the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (29 men, 1 woman) were analyzed by questionnaire, polysomnography and oral cavity measurement before and 6 months after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty to assess the surgical outcome and value of preservation of uvula in the operation. RESULTS: Eighty-seven percent of patients reported improvement of snoring and daytime sleepiness. Fifty-three percent of patients showed a decrease of at least 50% in the apnea and hypopnea indices. Among the mild and moderate obstructive sleep apnea (AHI < 50), 73.3% of them showed a decrease of at least 50% in the AHI. No velopalatal insufficiency occurred. The result of oral cavity measurement showed that the uvula, which was preserved completely during the operation, began to contract 2 weeks after the operation. Three to six month after operation, uvula contracted to the normal length and the anatomical shape of the pharyngeal cavity became normal. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the uvula preserving UPPP indicate that this approach not only improves the effect of the UPPP, but also avoids the postoperative complications. The uvula that preserved completely during the operation will contract to the normal length progressively.

Adult↗