Craniofacial cleft

Craniofacial cleft (pronunciation: kray-nee-oh-fey-shuhl kleft) is a term used in medicine to describe a group of severe deformities of the face and head that are present at birth. These deformities are caused by abnormal development of the embryo during the early stages of pregnancy.

Etymology

The term "craniofacial" is derived from the Latin words cranium (meaning "skull") and facies (meaning "face"). The term "cleft" comes from the Old English cleofan, meaning "to split".

Types of Craniofacial Clefts

There are several types of craniofacial clefts, each classified according to the area of the face affected. These include:

• Tessier clefts
• Oblique facial clefts
• Median facial clefts
• Lateral facial clefts

Related Terms

• Cleft lip
• Cleft palate
• Craniofacial surgery
• Craniosynostosis
• Orbital hypertelorism

Treatment

Treatment for craniofacial clefts typically involves surgery to repair the cleft and improve the appearance and function of the face. This may be followed by speech therapy, dental care, and psychological support to help the individual cope with the emotional and social challenges associated with the condition.

See Also

• Congenital disorder
• Birth defect
• Plastic surgery

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Craniofacial cleft
• Wikipedia's article - Craniofacial cleft

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