Diaphanospondylodysostosis is characterized by absent ossification of the vertebral bodies and sacrum associated with variable anomalies. It has been described in less than ten patients from different families. Manifestations include a short neck, a short wide thorax, a reduced number of ribs, a narrow pelvis, and inconstant anomalies such as myelomeningocele, cystic kidneys with nephrogenic rests, and cleft palate.

Cleft palate is a developmental defect of the palate resulting from a failure of fusion of the palatine processes and manifesting as a separation of the roof of the mouth (soft and hard palate).