Uvula

From Falsipedia

Location of the Uvula

The Uvula is a small fleshy sack that hangs in the back of human throat. Ancient peoples thought the uvula served as a punching bag for the tongue or a "tiny bouncer that keeps evil spirits from entering the body through the mouth." In today's modern, scientific world, we laugh at these primitive assumptions.

The Role of the Uvula In Humans

The uvula performs several functions in the body such as articulation of vocal sound and the prevention of projectile vomiting. In many non-English languages the uvula helps create certain consonant sounds. In the English language it closes certain passages to prevent undesirable nasal sounds.

The function of the uvula in preventing projectile vomiting would best be compared to a mud flap on an automotive vehicle. The uvula hangs at the opening of the throat and breaks the stream of vomit as it enters the mouth. Without the uvula, the stream would continue to stream out of the throat and through the open mouth in a large arc.

An interesting experiment that can be performed at home is to simply push the uvula to one side of the throat with a finger. On most people this will trigger projectile vomiting, so the Falsipedia.com editors suggest laying out a large floor covering before attempting this experiment.

What the heck are these people thinking?

According to some sources, the uvula has become a somewhat popular piercing. This is troublesome because this can lead to many problems with the throat and soft palate, as well as uvulitis. There are lots of other places that can be pierced in the body with less risk, like the spleen and the buttocks. Let's be careful out there!