CLEFT UVULA

The uvula, the little V-shaped fleshy mass hanging from the back of the soft palate, is cleft. . Cleft uvula is a common minor anomaly occurring in about 1% of whites and 10% of Native Americans. Persons with a cleft uvula should not have their adenoids removed because, without the adenoids, they cannot achieve proper closure between the soft palate and pharynx while speaking and develop hypernasal speech. Also called bifid uvula.