Cleft Palate vs. Uvula bifida

Cleft Palate vs. Uvula bifida

In fact, both cases feature a cleft palate, but with differing extension and therefore, of different severity. Left picture: This form is called a total cleft palate. Right picture: In this case the cleft palate is restricted to the uvula, and is called bifid uvula. Neverteless, in uvula bifida the cleft may proceed submucously to the posterior border of the osseous palate, which means that the soft palate muscles are not joined regularly underneath the mucous membrane; this pathology is called submucous cleft palate. This distinction is important for genetic evaluation and for the evaluation of possible speech disorders on follow-up.

The two patients seem to have a totally different pathology. Left picture: The palate is split from behind to the alveolus. Right picture: In this case, the uvula is split.