What is another word for cleft palate?
Pronunciation: [klˈɛft pˈalət] (IPA) 
Cleft palate, also known as palatoschisis, is a common birth defect that occurs when the roof of the mouth does not fully close during fetal development. This leads to a gap in the tissue, which can cause difficulty in feeding, speech, and hearing. There are several synonyms for the term cleft palate, which include palatine fissure, oro-nasal fistula, cheiloschisis, and palatal cleft. These terms can be used interchangeably and are often used in medical literature, research articles, and clinical practice. Although the condition can be corrected with surgery, people with cleft palates may require long-term care and support to ensure their quality of life is not affected.
