ABSTRACT
Clefts of the lip and palate (CLP) are the most common craniofacial birth defects and are among the most common of all birth defects, with birth prevalence ranging from 1 in 500 to 1 in 2000 depending on the population. CLP represents a significant public health problem due to the significant lifelong morbidity and complex aetiology of these disorders. An understanding of embryology and anatomy of the cleft deformity is essential in order to optimize surgical treatment of CLP.
