High-arched palate

A high-arched palate (also termed high-vaulted palate) is where the palate is unusually high and narrow. It is usually a congenital developmental feature that results from the failure of the palatal shelves to fuse correctly in development, the same phenomenon that leads to cleft palate.[1] It may occur in isolation or in association with a number of conditions. It may also be an acquired condition caused by chronic thumb-sucking. A high-arched palate may result in a narrowed airway and sleep disordered breathing.[2]

Examples of conditions which may be associated with a high-arched palate include:

• Allergic rhinitis
• Apert syndrome
• Crouzon syndrome
• Down syndrome[3]
• Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
• Fragile X syndrome
• Incontinentia pigmenti[4]
• Marfan syndrome[3]
• Treacher Collins syndrome
• Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome