Uvula: This is a fleshy small projection which hangs from the palate that is soft in the mouth at the back. Its function includes filtering microorganisms such as bacteria from being able to enter the digestive system. It also has a function of stopping particles of food from entrance into the nasal cavity, during swallowing. Uvula is believed to pay an even larger more important part in sound articulation. In cases that are normal, muscles called dilator stop the uvula from sagging. But there are cases where the sagging of the uvula occurs because of poor muscle tone. A sagging uvula that is partial might cause snoring, since it partially blocks the airways. In certain individuals, the uvula can totally block the airway, causing a disorder called “obstructive sleep apnea”. Aside from poor muscle tone, anomalies of the structure of the uvula can also be a cause of blockage of the airway. In the above mentioned conditions, physicians normally advise removing the uvula, which is a treatment option in the majority of cases. Many individuals mistake these problems as swollen uvula but the swollen uvula is a totally different problem. Swollen uvula causes may be fixed with treatment that is proper.