occult cleft palate

submucous cleft palate

a separation of the muscle in the soft palate in which mucous membrane covers the defect; it may appear as a notch of the hard palate and bifurcation of the uvula.

Synonym(s): occult cleft palate

oc·cult cleft pal·ate

(ŏ-kŭlt' kleft pal'ăt)

Lack of closure in the bone of the hard palate or muscle of the soft palate, but with full closure of the overlying surface tissues.
Synonym(s): submucous cleft palate.