People with a bifid uvula will have more trouble moving their soft palate during times of eating, drinking, and speaking. Food may not be digested properly, and speech can be distorted. This is especially true when the uvula is deeply split.

Is a bifid uvula bad?

For most people, having a bifid uvula causes no complications, and they can lead a normal and healthful life. For others who have a submucous cleft, it can cause problems ranging from speaking and eating to being able to hear.

Can you talk without a uvula?

The authors hypothesized that because the uvula and the ability to speak set humans apart from other mammals, the uvula might have a role in the speech process. An acquired absent uvula may be secondary to surgery or cultural practices, or it may be a complication of infection.