What Does the Uvula Do?
1. Vestigial Structure
As organisms evolve over time, certain parts of their body will begin to devolve as they become less useful to them. For example, people have what is known as a coccyx at the base of their spine. This is a small extension of the spine that used to be much longer. Basically, the coccyx is what is now left of what used to be our tail.
Body parts that are the remains of something else are known as vestigial structures. Some of these structures will still have a purpose even if they do not perform their original function. One example of this being the wings of an ostrich. Others have no apparent use, and some people believe that the uvula might be what is left of an as yet unidentified organ from our ancestors.
