Alveolarr ridge: The jaw's bony ridge, which holds the teeth

Anterior: Front

Articulation: The process of forming speech sounds

Audiologist: Professional concerned with hearing assessment and non-medical management of hearing impairments.

Audiometer: The device used to measure hearing

Civula: Small cone-shaped muscle which hangs down in the back of the mouth, at the front of the throat

Cleft: Division

Cleft lip: A division of the upper lip which may be unilateral (one-sided) or bilateral, and can vary from a notching to a complete division of the lip

Cleft palate: A division of the roof of the mouth which may or may not involve a cleft lip as well

Cleft palate team: The group of professionals involved in treating patients with cleft lip and/ or cleft palate. Includes representatives from; pediatrics, plastic surgery, dentistry, oral surgery, speech pathology, audiology, otolaryngology, orthodontics, nursing, and/or radiology

Cross-bite: A condition in which the lower teeth protrude forward beyond the upper teeth

ENT.: The abbreviation of ear, nose, and throat

Eustachian tube: The air-filled tube connecting the back of the throat with the middle ear. It usually opens during yawning or swallowing, allowing ventilation of the middle ear cavity and equalization of pressure on the two sides of the eardrum

Fistula: An abnormal opening

Genetics: The science of heredity; in this case, the study of potentiality and probabilities for the birth of children with clefts in families which already have children with clefts

Hard palate: The bony front part of the roof of the mouth

Hyper-nasality: Inappropriate nasal resonance during speech

Hypo-nasality: Lack of nasal resonance during the three nasal speech sounds m, n, and ng

Inner ear: The portion of the ear containing the nerve endings critical to hearing

Larynx: The cartilages and elastic membranes that house the vocal cords -- also called the "voice box"

Malocclusion: Incorrect alignment of the upper and lower teeth

Mandible: The lower jaw

Maxilla: The upper jaw

Medial: In or near the middle

Middle ear: The part of the ear which contains three small bones which transfer sound from the eardrum the inner ear

Orthodontics: The specialty of dentistry which deals with irregularities in the alignment of the teeth

Otitis media: An infection of the middle ear

Otolaryngologist: The doctor who specializes in the diagnosis of the ear and larynx, often referred to as an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist

Pharynx: The back of the throat

Plastic surgery: The medical specialty dealing with the surgical repair of external physical defects

Posterior: Back

Prosthesis: An artificial substitute for a missing part

Prosthodontist: A dental specialist who provides prosthetic appliances for oral structures

Rotated teeth: Teeth which are "turned" clockwise or counterclockwise in the mouth, relative to the normal position

Radiologist: A physician who specializes in the study of diseases through the use of x-rays

Soft palate: The soft, muscular part of the roof of the mouth, located near the back, also called the velum

Speech and language pathologist: The member of the Cleft Palate Team who diagnoses communication disorders, and prescribes and/or implements therapeutic measures

Velopharyngeal: Pertaining to the velum and the pharynx

Velopharyngeal closure: The closing by muscles of the nasal cavity from the oral cavity which directs air through the mouth rather that the nose

Velum: The soft palate

Duke Guide to Care of Children with Cleft Conditions

• The Nature of Clefts
• Feeding
• Surgery
• Hearing
• Speech
• Orthodontics
• Psychological Perspectives
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Glossary
• Comprehensive Craniofacial Program Team Member Roles