HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

A cleft palate refers to a condition characterized by a separation or opening in the hard palate (the bony front part of the roof of the mouth) or the soft palate (the soft, flexible back part of the roof of the mouth). This separation can occur when the tissues that form the palate do not fully come together during early fetal development, leading to a gap that can affect a person's ability to eat, speak, and can also result in increased risk of ear infections or dental problems.

This condition may vary in severity and can appear as a unilateral or bilateral cleft, depending on whether the gap occurs on one or both sides of the palate. The correct understanding of cleft palate is essential for recognizing its implications on health and the importance of comprehensive care, which may include surgical intervention and speech therapy.