Question

Many children with cleft palate will make__________,or sound substitutions made in an attempt to compensate for inadequate closure of the velopharyngeal mechanism.

Answer 1

Hypernasal speech

Velopharyngeal insufficiency with a possible submucosal cleft palate. The velum (soft palate) moves posteriorly during swallowing and speech, thereby separating the oropharynx from the nasopharynx. Velopharyngeal insufficiency exists when this separation is incomplete, which may occur after cleft palate repair or adenoidectomy (usually transient). In severe cases, nasopharyngeal regurgitation of food may occur. In milder cases, the only manifestation may be hypernasal speech as a result of the nasal emission of air during phonation. If a bifid uvula is present, one should palpate the palate carefully for the presence of a submucous cleft.