Is Uvula Important? Absence of Uvula: An Accidental or an Incidental Finding

Introduction: Absence of the uvula is very rare in the general population, which is mostly acquired secondary to surgery or is rarely congenitally absent since birth. Uvula is a small band of connective tissue, gland and small muscle fibers and is documented to be useful in speech, lubrication and central support of the palatopharyngeal arch during swallowing. Cultural practice of uvulectomy is very common in African countries as a treatment or prophylactic measure for chronic cough or frequent respiratory infection. Congenital absence of uvula is a rare condition and is also accompanied by other genetic abnormalities such as cleft lip or cleft palate. Case Report: This case report is based on an accidental finding in a 20-year-old African-American male who was acting as a standardized patient in a clinical course at a medical college. Conclusion: This is one of the rare cases of absence of uvula without any other congenital or genetic abnormality to be reported in medical literature.