Objective: To describe a new computer‐based technique to isolate the shape of the fetal palate visible in the midsagittal plane from static ultrasound images routinely used to measure nuchal translucency. Method: This is a retrospective interpretation of images of the midsagittal view of the fetal face at 11 to 13 (+6) weeks of gestation in 7 cases of cleft lip and palate (CLP) and 7 normal controls. The images were subjected to pattern analysis. Results: Proprietary software was applied and for each CLP case, and palatine bones with different forms from those of fetuses in the control group were recorded. In 4 cases, an image of a continuous palatine bone was observed at a threshold of 180, whereas the remaining 3 images were obtained at 128. A Continuous palatine bone structure was not observed in any fetus from the CLP group, even at a level of 128, when the surrounding structures were visible. Conclusion: The application of pattern analysis to a 2D frozen image is a new approach for prenatal diagnostics. This technique may be a helpful tool for physicians and could assist in the diagnosis of cleft palate.