MotW, your analysis of the transformative power of the underground journey corresponds to a phase of “the hero’s journey” identified by the late, great Joseph Campbell – what he refers to as “The Belly of the Whale”. This may be simply stating the “obvious” symbolism that you mentioned earlier, but what the hey – I’ve been accused of worse than stating the obvious.
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The idea that the passage of the magical threshold is a transit into the sphere of rebirth is symbolized in the worldwide womb image of the belly of the whale. The hero, instead of conquering or conciliating the power of the threshold, is swallowed into the unknown, and would appear to have died...
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This exactly describes the entrance to Moria. Recall, even, that Frodo briefly appears to have died at the tomb of Balin when he’s nearly skewered by a spear. Gandalf does in fact die (physically) and is transformed. To continue:
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This popular motif gives emphasis to the lesson that the passage of the threshold is a form of self-annihilation. [...] ...instead of passing outward, beyond the confines of the visible world, the hero goes inward, to be born again.
-“The Hero With a Thousand Faces”
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As a side note, I came across this interesting bit about an ogre figure in South African mythology called the Hai-uri (very close to Uruk-hai, inverted, eh?). “This monster is a hunter of men, whom it tears to shreds with cruel teeth as long as fingers. The creature is said to hunt in packs.” Compare with, “We are the fighting Uruk-hai! We slew the great warrior. We took the prisoners. We are the servants of Saruman the Wise, the White Hand: the Hand that gives us man's-flesh to eat.”