TKANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 139 



On the Uses of the Uvula. By Sir Duncan Gibb, Bart., M.D. 



The axithor commenced by saying that the true functional uses of the uvula had 

 never been wholly understood, and then entered into a description of its composition, 

 situation, and relation to neighbouring muscles. Anatomists describe the action 

 of the u\-Tilar muscle as an elevator, and as therefore shortening- the uvula. It is, 

 however, a sentinel to the fauces, especially in the act of deglutition ; for when any 

 substance comes into contact with it, it excites the action of all the neighboimng 

 muscles until that is got rid of. But it possesses a function of not less importance in 

 holding the soft palate tense and firm in the medial line against the wall of the 

 pharynx diuing the act of deglutition itself, and thus prevents the passage upwards 

 of fluid or solid substances behind the nose. This was supported by experiments 

 upon a person who had lost the bones of the nose, permitting of a view of the action 

 of the soft palate from its nasal aspect during deglutition, with or without food. 

 Under either circumstance, a double arch was seen in the form of two convex 

 swellings, held in a state of finn tension by the action of the uvula pressing down 

 the centre of the soft'palate, with its end resting flat against the wall of the pharynx. 

 There was the motor ttvula muscle situated superficially, like a distinct band, tied 

 round the soft palate in its most important resisting part, to prevent the possibility 

 of food passing upwards, and in this it was supported coordinately by all the 

 neighbouring muscles concerned in the act of deglutition. There also was a fact 

 not previously known — viz. the action of the uvula as a, point d'appui in holding 

 the soft palate tense in the middle line against the pharynx during deglutition, at 

 the same time that the muscle acted as a compressor of the soft palate itself. Its 

 tension ceased the moment that the constrictors of the pharynx had fully exerted 

 their influence over the substances swallowed. Whilst the uvula has its special 

 uses in the act of deglutition, it exerts a not less decisive influence upon the voice 

 when uttered in a very loud tone, or in singing the higher registers, m both sexes ; 

 then its character as a levator or shortener is exerted. If this power is impaired 

 by removal of the muscular (not the membranous) end, then the singing powers 

 are damaged. The author now described the appearance and action of the uvula 

 as seen in singing the higher notes, its point becoming almost invisible, and the 

 soft palate being drawn backwards and upwards, diminishing the space between it 

 and the wall of the pharjnix. The movements of the uvida are exceedingly rapid, 

 and vary with the continuous or quavering character of the singing notes. In the 

 shakes of the voice it is seen to be undergoing a series of short ups and downs, at 

 every inspiration descending, and then rapidly ascending, and keeping up until the 

 note, prolonged or otherwise, is finished. Some remarks were made upon elonga- 

 tion of the uvula and its effects, a distinction being made between its elongated 

 membranous end and the true muscular tip which should not be meddled with. 

 Speech, the author said, was modulated by the soft palate and uvula, and the 

 motor power of the latter is unquestionably exerted in pronouncing the letters K, 

 Q, and X, with their associations, more especially the gutturals of the vai-ious 

 languages. He summed up the uses of the uvula as follows : — •" 1. It acts as a 

 sentinel to the ftiuces in exciting the act of deglutition when anything has to be 

 swallowed. 2. It compresses the soft palate and holds its posterior free border 

 fii-mly against the wall of the pharynx in deglutition, so that nothing can pass up- 

 wards. 3. It modifies speech in the production of loud declamation and the 

 guttm-al forms of language by lessening or diminishing the pharyngo-uasal passage 

 when it acts as an elevator. 4. Its elevating power is increased to the most ex- 

 treme degree in the highest ranges of the singing voice, and is very moderately 

 exerted in the lower ranges. 5. Therefore, in its uses, deglutition and vocalisation 

 ai-e the functions that ai-e intimately associated with the uvula, and both become 

 impaired more or less if it is destroyed, wholly removed, or seriously injured." 



On some Ahnorinalities of the Larynx. By Sir Duncan Gibb, Bart., M.D. 



The author described a rare instance of absence of both arytenoid cartilages in 

 a gh-1 of eighteen. Likewise one in which the epiglottis possessed the shape of a 

 trefoil leaf, and two others in boys of fissure of the same cartilage. 



All these were congenital, and were explained by means of diagrams. 



