The muscular part of the uvula is called the uvular muscle (or musculus uvulae). It has two parts which are united along most of its length.

Origin: its fibers arise from the posterior nasal spine of the palatine bone and the superior surface of the palatine aponeurosis. The muscle lies between the two plates of the aponeurosis.

Insertion: the uvular muscle passes posteriorly above the sling created by the levator veli palatini muscle and inserts beneath the mucosa of the uvula.

Action: elevates and shortens the uvula; retracts and thickens the middle part of the soft palate, thus aiding the levator veli palatini in palatopharyngeal closure.

Innervation: pharyngeal branch of the vagus nerve (CN X) via the pharyngeal plexus.

Blood supply: ascending palatine artery - a branch of the facial artery, and the descending palatine artery, which arises from the maxillary artery.

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Uvular muscle