musculus uvulae muscle (anatomy)
Last reviewed 01/2018
On both sides, the musculus uvulae is one of the muscles of the palate. It arises from the posterior nasal spine and the palatine aponeurosis. It inserts into the mucous membrane of the uvula.
It is innervated by the pharyngeal branches of the vagus nerve (CN X) after motor fibres have been relayed via the cranial accessory nerve (CN XI).
Its action is to shape the uvula. Ipsilateral contraction draws up the uvula on the same side.