The bifid uvula in ear, nose and throat practice

Out of 2,000 consecutive ear, nose and throat patients, 44 were found with bifid uvulas. Five of the cleft uvulas were associated with submucous cleft palate, and eight were associated with short palates; however, dyslalia was evident in only one case. Compensation for the wide palato-pharyngeal space can occur by hyperplasia of the nasopharyngeal tonsil and hypertrophy and increased mobility of the pharyngeal constrictors and Passavant's ridge. On the other hand, otologic manifestations were complained of in 13 cases. The asymptomatic cases were examined under magnification and audiometrically and a further three cases were, then, diagnosed as secretory otitis media. Hypoplasia of the tensor palati is the probable explanation of otologic manifestations in bifid uvula.