Definition

1. Noun:
   • A congenital facial deformity: A "cleft lip" is a birth defect characterized by a split or opening in the upper lip. This opening occurs because the facial structures of an unborn baby do not close completely during early pregnancy.
   • A type of orofacial cleft: It is a specific condition where there is a separation in the lip, which can range from a small notch to a large gap extending into the nose.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The baby was born with a cleft lip. (The infant had a separation in the upper lip present at birth.)
  • Surgery to repair a cleft lip is usually performed in the first year of life. (An operation to correct the split in the lip is typically done early.)
  • Children with a cleft lip may need specialized dental and speech therapy. (Young individuals who have this condition often require additional care.)

Advanced Usage

• "Unilateral cleft lip": A split that occurs on only one side of the lip.
  • The most common type is a unilateral cleft lip on the left side.
• "Bilateral cleft lip": A split that occurs on both sides of the lip.
  • A bilateral cleft lip creates two separate openings.
• "Complete cleft lip": A split that extends all the way from the lip into the nostril.
  • A complete cleft lip involves a full separation.
• "Incomplete cleft lip": A split that does not extend fully into the nostril.
  • An incomplete cleft lip may appear as a small notch.

Variants and Related Words

• Cleft palate (n): A related but distinct congenital condition involving an opening in the roof of the mouth (palate). A person can have a cleft lip, a cleft palate, or both.
  • The team specializes in treating cleft lip and cleft palate.
• Orofacial cleft (n): The broader medical term that encompasses both cleft lip and cleft palate.
• Cheiloschisis (n): The technical medical term for a cleft lip.

Synonyms

• Harelip: An older, now generally considered outdated and potentially offensive term for cleft lip. The term "cleft lip" is the preferred and respectful modern terminology.
• Lip cleft: A less common descriptive synonym.

Related Phrases and Collocations

• Cleft lip repair: The surgical procedure to correct the condition.
  • The success rate for cleft lip repair is very high.
• Cleft lip and palate team: A multidisciplinary group of healthcare professionals who provide coordinated care.
  • He is being followed by the hospital's cleft lip and palate team.
• Born with a cleft lip: The standard phrase describing the condition's presence at birth.
  • Approximately one in every 700 babies is born with a cleft lip.

Noun

1. a congenital cleft in the middle of the upper lip