title: Clefting of the Alveolus: Emphasizing the Distinction from Cleft Palate.
abstract: Oral clefting is one of the most common significant fetal abnormalities. Cleft lip and cleft palate have drastically different clinical ramifications and management from one another. A cleft of the alveolus (with or without cleft lip) can confuse the diagnostic picture and lead to a false assumption of cleft palate. The cleft alveolus should be viewed on the spectrum of cleft lip rather than be associated with cleft palate. This is made evident by understanding the embryological development of the midface and relevant terminology. Cleft alveolus carries significantly different clinical implications and treatment options than that of cleft palate. Accurately distinguishing cleft alveolus from cleft palate is crucial for appropriate discussions regarding the patient's care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wirtz
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sidman
authors.affiliation: Department of Perinatology, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Block
mesh_terms: D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000196:embryology / Q000601:surgery; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000196:embryology / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000637:transplantation; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008046:Lip / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D010159:Palate / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal