Cleft Lip

Cleft lip is a birth defect that occurs when the tissues of the upper jaw and nose do not join as expected during fetal development, resulting in a split (cleft) in the lip. An incomplete cleft lip can range from a slight indentation to a notch in the upper lip on one or both sides. A complete cleft lip is a deep split in the lip that extends into one or both sides of the nose. This birth defect can be corrected with one or more surgeries.

ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer John Pope, MD - Pediatrics
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Adam David Schaffner, MD, FACS - Plastic Surgery, Otolaryngology

Current as ofMay 4, 2017

Current as of: May 4, 2017

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: John Pope, MD - Pediatrics & Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & Adam David Schaffner, MD, FACS - Plastic Surgery, Otolaryngology

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