cleft palate

cleft palate   n.  A congenital fissure in the roof of the mouth, resulting from incomplete fusion of the palate during embryonic development. It may involve only the uvula or extend through the entire palate.

Main Entry: cleft palate
Function: noun
: congenital fissure of the roof of the mouth produced by failure of the two maxillae to unite during embryonic development andoften associated with cleft lip called also palatoschisis

cleft palate n.
A congenital fissure in the roof of the mouth, resulting from incomplete fusion of the palate during embryonic development. It may involve only the uvula or extend through the entire palate. Also called palatoschisis.

cleft palate   Incomplete closure of the palate during development of an embryo, resulting in a split along part or all of the roof of the mouth.