**Core Concept**
Cleft lip and palate are congenital anomalies resulting from the failure of the fusion of the medial and lateral nasal prominences, the maxillary and mandibular processes during embryonic development. This results in a partial or complete separation of the lip and/or palate, affecting the form and function of the oral cavity.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is related to the embryological development of cleft lip and palate. Cleft lip and palate are often associated with genetic factors, such as mutations in genes like IRF6, which play a crucial role in the development of the face and palate. The formation of the lip and palate involves a complex process of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, and disruptions in this process can lead to clefting.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** Cleft palate is caused by a failure of the fusion of the medial and lateral nasal prominences. **This statement is incorrect because the primary cause of cleft palate is the failure of the fusion of the maxillary processes to the medial nasal prominence.**
* **Option B:** Cleft lip is a result of genetic factors only. **This statement is incorrect because while genetic factors do play a role in the development of cleft lip, environmental factors such as smoking and poor nutrition during pregnancy can also contribute to the risk of cleft lip.**
* **Option C:** Cleft lip and palate are always associated with Pierre Robin sequence. **This statement is incorrect because while there is an increased risk of cleft palate in individuals with Pierre Robin sequence, not all individuals with cleft lip and palate have Pierre Robin sequence.**

**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Cleft lip and palate are among the most common congenital anomalies, affecting approximately 1 in 700 live births. Early surgical repair of the cleft lip and palate is crucial for optimizing speech and feeding outcomes.

**Correct Answer: C. Cleft lip and palate are always associated with Pierre Robin sequence.