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Normal and cleft palate

Normal palate

The roof of the mouth is known as the palate. The hard palate is in the front, closer to the teeth. The soft palate is in the back, toward the throat.

Examples of cleft palate

In cleft palate, the roof of the mouth (palate) has an opening (cleft) that may go through to the nasal cavity. This birth defect is corrected with one or more surgeries.

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Primary Medical Reviewer Michael J. Sexton, MD
- Pediatrics
Specialist Medical Reviewer Arden Christen, DDS, MSD, MA, FACD
- Dentistry
Last Updated February 4, 2008

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: February 04, 2008
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