Cleft conditions

During early fetal development, the two sides that form the lips slowly fuse together at the center of the face. If any errors occur during this binding process, preventing the normal progression of fusion, a fissure or cleft occurs. When such a fissure occurs on the upper lip (primary palate) the condition is known as a cleft lip; when the fissure extends through the entire mouth structure to the hard palate or further inside to the soft palate (velum), the condition is known as a complete cleft of the lip and palate. When only the hard palate or soft palate (velum) is fissured, this is known as a cleft palate.