Top of the page

Cleft palate

Location of hard palate and soft palate on roof of mouth, showing normal roof of mouth and one with cleft in soft palate

Cleft palate is a birth defect in which the roof of the mouth (palate) does not develop normally during pregnancy, leaving an opening (cleft).

The palate has two parts that can be affected by a cleft. The hard palate is in the front, closer to where the front teeth will come in. The soft palate is in the back, toward the throat.

Sometimes the cleft is just in the soft palate, and other times it may extend into the hard palate and even into the nasal cavity.

A cleft is corrected with one or more surgeries.

Current as of: October 24, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.