Cleft lip and palate

4,128views

Key Takeaways

Cleft lip and palate are congenital defects, characterized by the failure of the tissues that form the upper lip and roof of the mouth to join together properly. A cleft lip contains an opening in the upper lip, sometimes extending into the nasal cavity. On the other hand, cleft palate is said when it is the palate that contains an opening into the nose. Risk factors for cleft lip and palate include diabetes, certain medications during pregnancy, and smoking.