Major cleft types

What are the major cleft types? The above diagrams show the nose, lips, hard and soft palate and the alveolus (gum). The ridges at the sides of the ‘philtrum’ show where the three parts of the lip have joined. The ridge in the middle of the palate shows where the parts of the palate have joined. There are three major types of clefts. Each type will require a number of treatments. Cleft lip A cleft of the lip may be complete or incomplete and involves either one side (unilateral) or both sides (bilateral). This type of cleft sometimes includes the upper gum (alveolus) and the nose. Cleft palate A cleft palate involves some or all of the soft palate and can extend into the hard palate up to the back of the alveolus. Occasionally some children may have a split (bifi d) uvula; this is where the muscles beneath the lining of the mouth and the nose (mucosa) are not joined (submucous cleft palate). Cleft lip and palate A cleft of the lip and palate involves one (unilateral) or both (bilateral) sides of the lip, base of the nose, gum and palate. Occasionally, the lip and palate are cleft but the nose and alveolus (gum) are intact.

You are chosen especially by God to stand out and not to fade away in a crowd. Madge, Port Elizabeth My son is only six weeks old.   I will treat him the same I do my other two boys and hopefully he will have the strength in his personality to realise that he is special and loved by everyone. Anonymous

REFERENCE: “A PARENTS' GUIDE TO THE TREATMENT OF CLEFT LIP AND PALATE” / "‘n OUER-HANDELING VIR DIE BEHANDELING VAN ‘n GESPLETE LIP ENVERHEMELTE" / ISIKHOKELO KUBAZALI NGONYANGO LOMLEBE OCANDEKILEYO NENKALAKAHLA EVULEKILEYO. © Haydn Bellardie 2006.