| ALVEOLUS | The upper and lower dental ridges, which hold the teeth. |
| ALVEOLAR BONE GRAFT | Surgery in which a section of bone is taken from the hip, rib or leg and used to bridge a gap in the alveolus. |
| BILATERAL | Pertaining to two sides, as in clefts on two sides of the upper lip. |
| CLEFT LIP | A gap or opening in the upper lip. |
| CLEFT PALATE | An opening in the roof of the mouth. |
| COLUMELLA | The ridge of tissue located between the nostrils. |
| HARD PALATE | The bony front section of the roof of the mouth. |
| NASAL | Pertaining to the nose. |
| PALATE | The roof of the mouth. |
| PHARYNGEAL FLAP | Surgery in which a flap of tissue from the back of the throat is attached to the soft palate to reduce the escape of air through the nose during speech. |
| PREMAXILLA | The center portion of the upper gum. |
| PROLABIUM | The center portion of the upper lip. |
| SOFT PALATE | The rear third of the roof of the mouth. |
| TUBES | Small devices placed in the eardrums to prevent fluid build-up in the ears. |
| UNILATERAL | Pertaining to one side, as in a single cleft on one side of the upper lip. |
| VELOPHARYNGEAL INCOMPETENCE | Difficulty closing off the nose from the mouth during speech, usually due to palatial defects. |