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Living with Bifid uvula

A difference in which the small piece of tissue hanging at the back of the throat is split in two.

Understanding Bifid uvula

Bifid uvula is a condition in which the uvula, the small tissue at the back of the soft palate, is split.

GARD describes it as a fissure (split) type of difference that forms before birth. It can be noticed in newborns and infants. It may sometimes occur with a cleft lip or a hidden cleft of the soft palate.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:

  • Split uvula (bifid uvula)
  • Breathy, nasal-sounding speech

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include ear, nose, and throat specialists.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

  4. Connect with expert centers

    World Craniofacial Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.

Care & treatment

Care team
Ear, nose, and throat specialists (otolaryngologists)
Expert care
Expert lists: World Craniofacial Foundation
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with World Craniofacial Foundation and other patient organizations
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
Is there a hidden cleft in the soft palate (submucous cleft)?
Could this affect my child's speech or feeding?
Do we need to see a specialist for the palate?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn and as an Infant

GARD doesn't describe a cause for this condition yet.

Also known as: bifid palatine uvula; bifidity of the uvula; cleft of uvula; cleft uvula; forked uvula; split uvula

Patient organizations

Source: NIH GARD · Bifid uvulaGARD ID 19687 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Bifid uvula.

Explore the Bifid uvula blog

Explore research for Bifid uvula

Explore actively recruiting Bifid uvula studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Bifid uvula with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Share your city to look for research near you
  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

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