Bifid Uvula
photo by Janelle Aby, MD
In this infant, the palate appears to be intact, but the appearance of the uvula raises some suspicion for a submucosal cleft. The uvula is almost twice the normal width, and although it is not clearly bifid, there is a suggestion of two halves. This finding is known to be associated with submucous cleft (although clefts can occur with a normal uvula, and bifid uvula may be an isolated finding), so this associated diagnosis should be considered. Submucous cleft may be noted on palpation, but it is important to note that when a newborn is comfortably sucking on the examiner's finger, one is palpating only the hard palate. Direct palpation of the soft palate is necessary to evaluate for submucous cleft.
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