The tonsils are designed to detect and defend our bodies against infections.
They are located at the back of the mouth on both the left and right sides of the throat.
Like other infection-fighting tissue, the tonsils become inflamed giving them a swollen look while fighting bacteria and viruses.
Often, the tonsils do not return to the original size following the combat of an infection.
They can stay at an unusually larger than normal size.
This in turn, will narrow the airway and cause snoring.
The soft palate is the flap of tissue or muscle you can notice at the back of the mouth when you open wide and say ahh.
If this muscle becomes over relaxed, weak and floppy, it can vibrate and cause snoring.
The uvula is suspended on the core of the palate.
An abnormal unfit or thick uvula can contribute to snoring.
The base of the tongue is the majority mass of the tongue that is farther back in the mouth.
The tongue is an extensive muscle that is vital for directing food down the throat and also chewing and swallowing.
The tongue is also important for creating the proper sounds and tones while we are speaking.
It attaches to the inner part of the jaw bone in the front portion and to the underneath of the hyoid bone at the back.
The tongue must be free to move in all directions to function properly.
Therefore the tongue is not attached at the tip or the top side.
If the very rear section of the tongue is weak and allows the tongue to slip backwards, it can narrow the breathing passage which will lead to vibrations and further more snoring.