 
Descriptions and Illustrations of Type of Cleft
A cleft lip may occur on one side (unilateral) or both sides (bilateral). It may be incomplete (which does not involve the nose) or complete (involving the nose). In some cases the upper gum (alveolus) and palate are also involved.
|
 |
| Back to Top |
A cleft of the palate involves some or all of the soft palate and may extend into the hard palate up to the back of the upper gum (alveolus).
|
 |
| Back to Top |
| This occurs where the baby has a very small lower jaw. There may be feeding and breathing problems due to the position of the tongue. Some babies may need to be monitored in hospital in the early days. |
| Back to Top |
A cleft lip and palate may occur on one side (unilateral) or both sides (bilateral). It involves the lip, base of nose, upper gum (alveolus) and palate. Sometimes the lip and palate are affected, but the nose and upper gum are in tact.
|
 |
| Back to Top |
| Some children may have a condition where the palate appears to be intact, but there may be a gap in the bone and the muscles in the soft palate are not joined under the skin's surface – this is known as a submucous cleft palate. This may involve a split uvula (the part of the palate which hangs down at the back)– but this is not always the case. |
| Back to Top |
|
