orale Spaltbildung = oral cleft formation

Personally, I would choose the more general term of "oral cleft formation" to cover the cleft palate (Gaumenspalte) and cleft lipe (Lippenspalte) which can occur separately or together.

e.g.:
Cleft lip (CL) and cleft palate (CP) are common developmental conditions. Each can occur either by itself or in conjunction with the other (CL/P). Clefts involve failure of normal structures to properly unite together. The timing of cleft formation occurs very early in embryonic life. Many misconceptions about clefts exist due to persistence of outdated scientific theories.
http://209.85.229.132/search?q=cache:ro_oka3ilVAJ:www.cardin...

Cleft lip/palate is the fourth most common birth defect in the United States. One out of 700 babies is born with a cleft. Currently, it is not completely understood what determines cleft formation. Most information suggests a combination of both genetic/hereditary factors and environmental factors such as illness, alcohol abuse or nutritional deficiency during pregnancy. Regular prenatal care can help reduce the risks of birth defects.
http://209.85.229.132/search?q=cache:2l5rE9q0-LwJ:www.idph.s...





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Note added at 2 hrs (2010-02-23 15:05:30 GMT)
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Unilateral Cleft Lip
• Forms as a persistent labial groove
• Labial groove should disappear as the
maxillary prom. fuse with merged
medial nasal prominences
• Stretching of epithelium causes tissue
breakdown and cleft formation
• Simonart band: bridge of tissue
spanning the cleft (arrow below)
http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:e4IDSWHuA8wJ:www.o...

Little information is available to draw any conclusions on the role of these exposures and the risk of oral cleft formation. SUMMARY In summary, some of the ...
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&as_q=&as_epq=oral cleft f...

Routine use of corticosteroid therapy should be avoided during the first trimester secondary to a potential increased risk of oral cleft formation in the fetus. Corticosteroids should be reserved for treatment of refractory NVP or hyperemesis gravidarum.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/545629_3