Cleft Lip and Palate

A cleft lip and palate is a malformation, which occurs when the lip and/or roof of the mouth does not completely fuse during the first trimester of fetal development. A cleft lip and palate can be diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound. The upper lip and palate is formed separately at different gestational age ranges. The upper lip develops from fusing tissue of the nose and the center of the face. The formation of the upper lip takes place between the 7^th and 9^th week of gestation. The palate develops from fusing tissue of the upper lip, gum and inner mouth. The formation of the palate takes place between 7^th and 14^th week of gestation.

Figure 1:Anatomy of lip and palate

• Cleft lip and palate types

• Cleft lip and palate etiology

• Cleft lip and palate diagnosis