Final answer:
Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects arising from failures in embryonic development affecting the fusion of oral and maxillary structures, leading to difficulties with nutrition and requiring surgical repair.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cleft lip and cleft palate are developmental defects that occur during embryonic development. A cleft lip affects about 1 in 1000 births and involves a failure of the upper lip portions to fuse, resulting in a gap. Male infants are more commonly affected. In contrast, a cleft palate, which is more common in female infants, affects about 1 in 2500 births and involves the failure of the two halves of the hard palate to fuse at the midline. The hard palate is a critical structure for separating the nasal and oral cavities, and its malformation results in difficulties with suckling and risk of malnutrition. Surgical intervention is required to correct these issues.