A cleft is a separation in a body structure. Clefts that occur in the oral-facial region often involve the lip, the roof of the mouth (hard palate) or the soft tissue in the back of the mouth (soft palate).
- A cleft lip is a separation of the two sides of the lip. The separation often includes the bones of the upper jaw and/or upper gum.
- When a cleft lip occurs on both sides it is referred to as a bilateral cleft lip.
- When a cleft lip occurs on only one side it is referred to as a unilateral cleft lip.
- A cleft palate is an opening in the roof of the mouth in which the two sides of the palate did not fuse, or join together, as the unborn baby was developing.
- When a cleft palate occurs on both sides it is referred to as a bilateral cleft palate.
- When a cleft palate occurs on only one side it is referred to as a unilateral cleft palate.
