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Living with Midline cleft of lower lip

A rare difference present from birth in which the lower lip, and sometimes the lower jaw, has a split in the middle.

Understanding Midline cleft of lower lip

Midline cleft of lower lip is a rare difference present from birth in which the middle of the lower lip or jaw is split.

GARD describes this condition as median cleft lip or mandible, classified as Cleft No. 30 in a system called the Tessier classification. It is present at birth. GARD does not list other details for this condition.

Signs & symptoms

GARD doesn't list specific symptoms for this condition yet.

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include ear, nose, and throat specialists.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

  4. Connect with expert centers

    World Craniofacial Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.

Care & treatment

Care team
Ear, nose, and throat specialists (otolaryngologists)
Expert care
Expert lists: World Craniofacial Foundation
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with World Craniofacial Foundation and other patient organizations
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
What surgical options exist, and when are they usually done?
Which specialists should be on my child's care team?
How might the cleft affect feeding, teeth, or speech?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn

GARD doesn't describe a cause for this condition yet.

Also known as: median cleft lip/mandibule; median cleft lower facial stage

Patient organizations

Source: NIH GARD · Midline cleft of lower lipGARD ID 18756 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Midline cleft of lower lip.

Explore the Midline cleft of lower lip blog

Explore research for Midline cleft of lower lip

Explore actively recruiting Midline cleft of lower lip studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Midline cleft of lower lip with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Share your city to look for research near you
  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

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