What is the definition or description of: cleft palate?

Incomplete fusion : Cleft lip (cheiloschisis) and cleft palate (palatoschisis), which can also occur together as cleft lip and palate, are variations of a type of clefting congenital deformity caused by abnormal facial development during gestation. A cleft is a fissure or opening—a gap. It is the non-fusion of the body's natural structures that form before birth. Approximately 1 in 700 children born have a cleft lip.

Cleft palate is....: 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.

Developmental defect: A cleft in the hard and soft palate represents an incomplete fusion of the lips and hard or soft palate. These structures form in sections that fuse as growth/development progresses. Factors may inhibit fusion, leaving a 'cleft' between the unfused parts. A cleft palate is exhibited by an opening in the roof of the mouth that may include the lip. It is treatable with surgery.

A Birth Defect: Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects that occur when a baby’s lip or mouth do not form properly. Together, these birth defects commonly are called “orofacial clefts”. These birth defects happen early during pregnancy. A baby can have a cleft lip, a cleft palate, or both.

Facial birth defect: A cleft palate is the condition in a newborn caused by the incomplete closure of sections of the palate in the developing embryo. The resulting defect in the bone leaves a void or "cleft" between the oral cavity and the sinus.