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All human embryos begin life with a fissure along the midline of
the palate — the structure that separates the nasal and
oral passages. At some point in the normal development of the
fetus, tissue on either side of the fissure joins.
When this fusion fails to occur, the cleft remains, resulting in
the oral-facial abnormality. The exact cause of these facial abnormalities,
which occur in varying degrees of severity, is unknown. Clefting
may result from a combination of factors, and either runs in families
or occurs in isolation.
All patients are treated, regardless of ability to pay. or
write to the center’s coordinator.
Regional Cleft Palate Center
Monmouth Medical Center
300 Second Avenue
Long Branch, NJ 07740
The Regional Cleft Palate Center is funded
in part
by a grant from the New Jersey Department of
Health, Special Child and Adult Health Services.
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