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----- Original Message ----- From: "Bruce Anderson" <[log in to unmask]> To: "Parkinson's Information Exchange Network" <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Saturday, January 19, 2002 5:29 AM Subject: Bruce's Uvala > > I just want to say THANK YOU to all those who answered my calls for help > on what to do about what has turned out to b called my Uvala. THANKS to > nancy, Ivan, Sylvia, sunwiseassbum, Dr. Bob, K-F, Rita, Kathryne, and > Deborah, and anyone else I may have just missed - thanks much again!. I'm > going to first see my MDS and then find a ENT [just what we all need - ANOTHER > doctor, right?] I'll keep yo'all informed. > > BBA > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Ivan M Suzman" <[log in to unmask]> > To: <[log in to unmask]> > Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2002 3:16 PM > Subject: Re: a strange one > > > > Dear Bruce, > > > > The structure you are describing is probably the uvula. > > The uvula extends backwards from the hard part of the palate, > > and hangs over the throat . It is part of the soft palate. > > > > When you are speaking or singing, the uvula changes position. > > One of its critical functions is the automatic closing off > > of the back of the nasal cavity during swallowing. > > It does this by raising up, so that air flow, and liquid or > > solid food movement is directed only > > through the mouth, and is not regurgitated up > > though the nose and nostrils. > > > > When you are inhaling, while asleep, the uvula drops down > > and forwards if you breathe in through your > > nose, allowing air to reach your trachea > > to inflate your lungs. > > > > > > If the uvula is hanging down, as you described it, > > actually making contact with the part of you throat > > that is at the opening of the pharynx, or throat, > > your nasal passageway and your oral passageway > > are both affected. Your voice when awake could > > certainly be affected, if the back of the nose is not closed. During > > sleep, this can be a normal position. But it could > > change the quality of your voice and block the movement of food > > or liquids, even when you are awake. > > > > IF the uvula has been damaged , and hangs down > > but does not raise up, this could suggest either > > damage to a cranial nerve, that controls its movement, > > or some degree of injury to the tissues at the top > > and the back of the throat., or immediately in front of > > the uvula, where it is anchored to the palatine bone > > and hard palate. > > > > In any case, both in singing and in speaking, > > as well as in breathing, the uvula plays an important > > role. > > > > If your voice seems to be only somewhat intelligible, > > I would think you almost certainly would need to ascertain whether > > either > > the soft palate, as well as nearby structures other than > > the uvula itself, have suffered any damage,. > > > > I don't know what makes it "soft" or "mushy", and I > > would strongly suggest that you get in touch with > > an ear, nose and throat specialist. Go and see a general > > practice physician or visiting nurse, at least, as soon as > > it is possible, for a thorough examination. > > > > > > > > The epiglottis is lower down in your throat, > > and provides a soft tissue cover over the trachea, > > so that food is not swallowed into the windpipe. > > > > Good luck, Bruce. Please make an appointment > > and let us know what has happened. > > > > I was trained in anatomy, so I am happy to > > share further with you, on PIEN , or off line. > > > > Sincerely yours, > > > > Ivan Suzman > > > > 52/39/36 > > > > > > l > > > > > > > > On Tue, 15 Jan 2002 04:42:11 -0500 Bruce Anderson > > <[log in to unmask]> writes: > > > I am sure most of you know what the name of that little piece of > > > flesh > > > is called that dangles down from the top of your throat way back > > > there. I > > > can't think of its name, but there is something wrong with mine. It > > > feels > > > like it, along with a piece of skin, has detached itself from the > > > top of the > > > roof of my mouth. I can feel it rubbing the top of my tongue. I > > > can just > > > about, but not quite, touch it with the tip of my tongue, but the > > > bit of > > > flesh which has come down with it feels very mushy. Looking at it > > > with > > > mirror and a flashlight it has definitely fallen about halfway down > > > from > > > where it used to be. > > > > > > I have no idea what this thing's function is. I have not spoken an > > > intelligible word in well over a year. [I use a voice synthesizer, a > > > handheld computer and a TTY phone to communicate with. I've also > > > had some > > > swallowing problems but they're are improved from a year ago. > > > > > > I don't have PD - I have [probably] one of the PD+'s but my doctor > > > hasn't > > > decided which one yet - probably PSP. > > > > > > Sorry this is so long - I always seem to write a book. Can anyone > > > give me a > > > clue on what this new development is? It just showed up yesterday. > > > > > > THANKS, > > > BBAi > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: > > > mailto:[log in to unmask] > > > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] > > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn