Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (pronounced: yoo-voo-loh-pal-uh-toh-fair-in-go-plas-tee) is a surgical procedure used to remove excess tissue in the throat to widen the airway. This can help to alleviate snoring and treat obstructive sleep apnea.

Etymology

The term "Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty" is derived from the Latin words "uvula" (meaning "grape"), "palatum" (meaning "roof of the mouth"), "pharynx" (meaning "throat"), and "plasty" (meaning "molding or formation").

Procedure

During a Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, the surgeon removes or reshapes tissue in the throat, including the uvula, soft palate, tonsils, and adenoids. This is done to increase the size of the airway and reduce air resistance, which can help to alleviate symptoms of sleep apnea and snoring.

Related Terms

Sleep Apnea: A serious sleep disorder that occurs when a person's breathing is interrupted during sleep.
Snoring: A common condition that can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea.
Tonsils: Two oval-shaped pads of tissue at the back of the throat.
Adenoids: A patch of tissue that sits at the very back of the nasal passage.
Uvula: The fleshy extension at the back of the soft palate which hangs above the throat.
Soft Palate: The soft part at the back of the roof of the mouth.
Surgeon: A medical practitioner qualified to practice surgery.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty
Wikipedia's article - Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty

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Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty