evidence: Your uvula — sometimes called the palatine uvula — is that little piece of teardrop-shaped tissue that hangs from the back of the roof of your mouth. [...] A deviated uvula is one that leans to one side or the other. This often occurs if certain cranial nerves are weakened. Sometimes, injury results in a deviated uvula. Interestingly, people with peritonsillar abscesses often notice that their uvula leans to the opposite side, away from the infected tonsil.