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
>
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