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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↗
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↗
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↗
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↗
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↗
PubMed1985

The bifid uvula: is it a marker for an otitis prone child?

All children seen by a pediatrician in a suburban practice during an 18-month interval were examined carefully for the presence of an abnormal uvula. Isolated bifid uvula, without overt cleft palate, was detected among 44 children who had been followed in the practice during the first three years of life. A chart review was performed to determine the frequency of acute otitis media (AOM) and of insertion of tympanostomy tubes among these study patients and among age-matched controls with normal uvulas. Compared to control children, a slightly higher proportion of children with bifid uvulas had experienced more than one episode of AOM (64% vs. 49%) and more than three episodes of AOM (16% vs. 8%) during the first year of life, but these differences were not statistically significant. By age 3 years, the incidences of AOM in the compared groups were more nearly equal. Insertion of tympanostomy tubes during the first three years of life for persistent middle ear effusion was slightly more common among the bifid uvula group than among the controls (14% vs. 10%), but this difference again was not statistically significant. Children with bifid uvula may be at slightly increased risk of middle ear problems during the first years of life, but the magnitude of this increase, if any, appears small.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1985

Zonal organization of olivocerebellar projections to the uvula in rabbits.

Olivocerebellar projections to the uvula were studied by means of retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in pigmented rabbits. The distribution pattern of labeled cells in the inferior olive was compared among cases following large- and microinjections of HRP into the uvula. Findings indicate topographically organized projections to longitudinally oriented zones. There are at least 6 zones in the rabbit's uvula. The caudal part of the nucleus beta projects contralaterally to a most medially located zone (caudal beta zone). The rostral part of the nucleus beta projects to a little more laterally located zone (rostral beta zone) at a distance of about 1 mm from the midline of the uvula. The caudolateral part of the MAO projects to a zone (caudolateral MAO zone) located laterally 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 2 mm from the midline. The rostrolateral part of the MAO projects to the most lateral zone (rostrolateral MAO zone) of the uvula. Finally, the ventral lamella of the PO projects to a zone (ventral lamella of PO zone) located between the rostrolateral MAO zone and the dorsomedial cell column zone.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Topographical distribution of Purkinje cells in the uvula and the nodulus projecting to the vestibular nuclei in cats.

The localization of the Purkinje cells in the uvula and nodulus projecting to the vestibular nuclei and the prepositus hypoglossal nucleus (PH) was studied by means of retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase in cats. Findings indicate a zonal organization in the uvula and nodulus projecting to the vestibular nuclei as follows; the Purkinje cells located in the medial half of the uvula except for the area along the posterolateral fissure project to the middle part of the inferior vestibular nucleus (IV) (middle IV zone); those in the lateral half of the uvula other than the laterocaudal part project to the caudal part of the IV (caudal IV zone); those in the mediorostral part of the nodulus and the middle part of the nodulus project to the middle part of the medial vestibular nucleus (MV) (middle MV zone); those in the lateral part of the nodulus project to the caudal part of the MV (caudal MV zone); those in the medial part of the uvula and nodulus along the posterolateral fissure project to the dorsal peripheral part of the superior vestibular nucleus (SV) (SV zone). There is no specific projection zone in the uvula and nodulus projecting to the lateral vestibular nucleus, the ventral peripheral and the central part of the SV, the rostral part of the MV, the rostral part and the caudal pole of the IV, the caudal one-third of the group f, the group x and the PH.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

The pontocerebellar projection of the uvula in the cat.

The occurrence of retrogradely labeled cells in the pontine nuclei was mapped following injections of 0.3-0.4 microliter of a horseradish peroxidase suspension (50% weight/volume) into the uvula (lob. IX of Larsell) in the cat. The uvula was found to receive afferents from three pontine cell collections. One of these is situated in the paramedian pontine nucleus close to the midline. It forms a fairly distinctly outlined longitudinal column of cells and is present at all levels of the pons except most rostrally and caudally. Another group, in the dorsolateral and lateral pontine nuclei, extends as a somewhat shorter cell column in the longitudinal direction. The third region consists of cells within the rostral part of the peduncular nucleus in its dorsomedial region. The pontine projection to the uvula is bilateral, with some preponderance of crossed connections. The projection to the uvula is organized according to the pattern determined previously for pontine projections to other parts of the cerebellum. A single lobule or part of its receives afferents from more than one cell group in the pons. The projecting cells are most often arranged in longitudinal columns. Correlations with data on the termination of afferents to the pons permit some conclusions regarding the sources of information reaching the uvula via the pons. Main sources seem to be the superior and inferior colliculi, the intracerebellar nuclei and the sensorimotor cortices.

Afferent Pathways↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Carcinoma of the uvula and midline soft palate: indication for neck treatment.

According to common classification and staging systems, tumors of the uvula and soft palate are included in the group of oropharyngeal cancers. As such, the same staging systems apply and therapeutic decisions are made accordingly. Our experience with small tumors of the uvula and midline soft palate has shown that these common rules may not apply in these anatomical sites. A multicenter retrospective study was performed to examine the aspects of presentation and clinical course of tumors of the uvula. Only patients with small tumors, less than 2.0 cm in diameter, were included. Twenty-three cases were reviewed. Eleven (47.8%) patients had clinical or radiologic evidence of neck disease on presentation. Five of 12 (41.7%) patients who presented with negative neck were found eventually to have neck disease. Eight patients had cervical recurrence. Only one patient had local recurrence. We suggest that attention may need to be directed to the treatment of the neck of all tumors of the uvula and midline soft palate, regardless of size.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Apnea and the elongated uvula.

Four cases of respiratory distress and apnea associated with an elongated uvula are presented. In all cases, the uvula was found to intermittently fall onto the epiglottis and vocal cords. In all four patients, resection of the uvula led to resolution of all airway symptoms. It is hypothesized that the uvula, touching the vocal cords, caused intermittent laryngospasm and subsequent symptoms of cough, airway obstruction, and cyanosis. The anatomic reasons for such phenomenon are discussed.

Airway Obstruction↗
PubMed1989

Bifid uvula: prevalence and association in otitis media with effusion in children admitted for routine otolaryngological operations.

Over a six month period, 709 children admitted for routine ENT operations were surveyed with regard to the presence of a bifid uvula as seen whilst under a general anaesthetic. The prevalence was found to be 7.5 per cent (53:709) which is higher than other published figures for a Caucasian population. There was a statistically significant male predominance (2.5:1). Comparison between those children found to have otitis media with effusion at operation and those having dry myringotomies, or operations not including myringotomy, revealed a similar prevalence of bifid uvula. Thus, this data does not support the hypothesis myringotomy, revealed a similar prevalence of bifid uvula. Thus, this data does not support the hypothesis that bifid uvula as a microform of cleft palate is associated with an increased incidence of otitis media with effusion.

Adenoidectomy↗