system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: The purpose of the uvula.

What does it actually do? Why is it there?
gpt
In human adults, the uvula (which is essentially an extension of the soft palate) doesn't do much.  It can generally be removed without any significant consequence.

In infants and non-humans, the uvula makes contact with the epiglottis (which is a sort of shield or valve to keep food from going into voice box), which allows them breath through nose while swallowing.

In adult humans, the voice box changes position such that it can no longer contact the uvula (which is why we have to hold our breath when swallowing).  This change in position, however, does give us dramatically more vocal capabilities.

The functions described in the other comment are more specific to the soft palate, of which the uvula is somewhat a part of, but those functions (keeping food out of nose) do not need the uvula.