what is a cleft lip

Cleft lip is a birth defect that occurs when the tissue that makes up the lip does not join completely before birth, resulting in an opening in the upper lip. The opening in the lip can be a small slit or a large opening that goes through the lip into the nose. A cleft lip can be on one or both sides of the lip or in the middle of the lip, which occurs very rarely. Cleft palate is another birth defect that occurs when the tissue that makes up the roof of the mouth does not join completely before birth, resulting in an opening or split in the roof of the mouth. The opening in a cleft palate may affect the front, back, or both parts of the palate. Babies with a cleft lip can also have a cleft palate. These birth defects are called "orofacial clefts".