cleft palate

American  

noun

1. a congenital defect of the palate in which a longitudinal fissure exists in the roof of the mouth, often associated with a cleft lip.

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cleft palate British  

noun

1. a congenital crack or fissure in the midline of the hard palate, often associated with a harelip

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cleft palate Scientific  

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

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Etymology

Origin of cleft palate

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

Habermas was born with a cleft palate that required repeated operations as a child, an experience he later said helped shape his thinking about language and communication.

From BBC

Reported problems include spina bifida, cleft palate, and a range of intellectual, communication, behavior and memory disorders.

From Science Daily

“It certainly happened to me,” said Schimberg, who has a cleft palate.

From Salon

Take lamotrigine, for instance: In the early 2000s, animal trials indicated that it could increase conditions like cleft palate, but later studies found no such link, reassuring clinicians.

From Salon

About half of all living bat species have cleft palates—a feature that may be tied to bat echolocation.

From Scientific American