Which best describes a cleft palate?

A cleft palate is characterized by an opening in the roof of the mouth that connects the oral cavity to the nasopharynx. This occurs due to a failure in the fusion of the palatine processes during early fetal development, leading to a split or gap in the palate. This condition can impact feeding, speech, and the risk of ear infections, as it provides a direct pathway between the mouth and the nasal passages.

The other options do not accurately describe a cleft palate. The roof of the mouth being closed would indicate a normal palate, while a completely missing palate is not correct, as a cleft palate implies there is a partial structure (albeit with an abnormal opening). The statement about the palate being raised above normal level describes a different anatomical condition and is not relevant to a cleft palate, which involves the presence of an opening rather than an abnormal elevation.