Corpus: Uvular muscle

The uvulae muscle is a small muscle in the area of the soft palate that is part of the palatal musculature.

The uvulae muscle consists of two muscle cords that run in the posterior section of the soft palate approximately along the midline. Its origin is the spina nasalis posterior and the palatal aponeurosis. Its fibres radiate into the connective tissue of the uvula and insert into its tip.

The uvulae muscle is innervated by the pharyngeal plexus, with motor fibres from the glossopharyngeal nerve and the vagus nerve.

The uvulae muscle improves velopharyngeal contact and stiffens the soft palate during phonation and during the act of swallowing.