Final answer:
Approximately 1 in 2500 births are affected by cleft palate, a developmental defect of the hard palate that occurs when the two halves fail to fuse together at the midline.
Step-by-step explanation:
A cleft palate is a developmental defect that affects the hard palate, the bony structure that separates the nasal and oral cavities. It occurs when the two halves of the hard palate fail to fuse together at the midline, leaving a gap. Approximately 1 in 2500 births are affected by cleft palate, and it is more common in females. It can also be associated with cleft lip, which affects the upper lip.