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Although harelip, cleft palate, or both, are by far the most common major facial malformations, the mechanisms underlying their embryogenesis are only now beginning to be understood; this is due to the complexity of primary and secondary palate development and the fact that appropriate methods for study have only recently been developed. The authors present a review of the most significant data regarding the etiology of hare lip and cleft palate, both in their physiopathogenic aspects and in their clinical morphology. The peculiarity of these malformations is outlined, supported by literature data and personal experimental experience.

By means of a review of the most recent literature, the authors report on "state of the art" about etiology and pathogenesis of cleft palate. Epithelial-mesenchymal interactions regulating growth and orientation of palatal shelves, as well as teratogenic effects on such ultrastructural development control by endogenous and exogenous substances, are described.