Where is the uvula located?

The uvula is located in the throat, hanging at the back of the mouth from the soft palate.

It is the small, fleshy structure that can be seen dangling above the back of the tongue when someone opens their mouth. More precisely, it is part of the soft palate at the entrance to the oropharynx, the section of the throat behind the mouth.

The uvula helps close off the nasal passage during swallowing and contributes to the production of certain speech sounds, especially in languages that use uvular or uvularized consonants. It also helps distribute saliva and keep nearby tissues moist.

A common mix-up is confusing the uvula with the epiglottis. The epiglottis is a leaf-shaped flap lower in the throat that helps protect the airway when swallowing; it is generally not visible just by looking in the mouth. The tonsils are separate structures on either side of the throat.