Cleft lip and cleft palate are frequent human congenital malformations with a complex
multifactorial etiology. These orofacial clefts can occur as part of a syndrome involving
multiple organs or as isolated clefts without other detectable defects. Both forms of clefting
constitute a heavy burden to the affected individuals and their next of kin. Human and mouse
facial traits are utterly dissimilar. However, embryonic development of the lip and palate are
strikingly similar in both species, making the mouse a model of choice to study their normal …