Cleft palate (Q35)
The ICD-10 code section Q35 covers various forms of cleft palate, a congenital condition where the roof of the mouth does not fully close during fetal development. These codes specify different types and locations of cleft palate defects, aiding precise diagnosis and treatment planning.
This section includes subcodes such as Q35.1 for cleft hard palate (including terms like "cleft of right hard palate" or "complete cleft of hard palate"), Q35.3 for cleft soft palate (e.g., "bilateral cleft of soft palate"), and Q35.5 covering combined clefts of both hard and soft palate with multiple synonyms like "complete bilateral cleft palate" and "submucous cleft palate." Also included is Q35.7 for cleft uvula, known as "congenital anomaly of uvula." The code Q35.9 captures unspecified cleft palate and encompasses a wide range of associated congenital anomalies and syndromes. Understanding these synonyms alongside their ICD-10 codes helps medical coders accurately match clinical documentation to billing codes when the patient presents with conditions such as cleft hard palate, soft palate, or uvula abnormalities.
Instructional Notations
Includes
This note appears immediately under a three character code title to further define, or give examples of, the content of the category.
- fissure of palate
- palatoschisis
Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
- cleft palate with cleft lip Q37
Clinical Terms
The following clinical terms provide additional context, helping users better understand the clinical background and common associations for each diagnosis listed in this section. Including related terms alongside ICD-10-CM codes supports coders, billers, and healthcare professionals in improving accuracy, enhancing documentation, and facilitating research or patient education.
Cleft Palate
Congenital fissure of the soft and/or hard palate, due to faulty fusion.
Palatal Obturators
Appliances that close a cleft or fissure of the palate.
