NAIL ANATOMY
the hard protective plate located at the end of the finger or toe
natural nail
folds of normal skin that line the sides of the nail plate, also known as the sidewall
lateral nail fold
an area where the nail plate cells are formed; this area is composed of matrix cells that make up the nail plate
matrix
a condition caused by an injury or disease of the nail unit
NAIL DISORDER
A highly curved nail plate often called "folded nail," caused by injury to the matrix or inherited, is a(n) _______.
plicatured nail
visible redness, pain, swelling, broken skin, or pus. Refuse service and refer to physician
infected finger
all the anatomical parts of the fingernail necessary to produce the natural nail plate
natural nail unit
a hard keratin plate on top of and slowly sliding across the nail bed as it grows; the most visible and functional part of the nail unit
nail plate
the dead, colorless tissue attached to the nail plate
cuticle
visible depressions running across the width of the natural nail plate
Beau’s lines
________ often leads to ingrown nails
Plicatured nails
whitish discoloration found inside the nail plate, usually caused by injury to the nail matrix
leukonychia
the technical term for nail of the fingers or toes
onyx
the part of the nail plate that extends over the tip of the finger or toe
free edge
living skin at the base of the nail plate and covering the matrix area
eponychium
a condition in which a blood clot forms under the nail plate, forming a dark purplish spot; this is usually due to physical injury
bruised nailbed
Ridges running vertically down the natural nail plate are caused by _______
uneven growth and age
significant darkening of the fingernails or toenails; may be seen as a black band under or within the nail plate, extending from the base to the free edge
melanonychia
the folds of normal skin that surround the nail plate
nail folds
portion of the living skin that supports the nail plate as it grows toward the free edge
nail bed
a slightly thickened layer of skin that lies between the fingertip and free edge of the nail plate. It forms a protective barrier that prevents microorganisms from invading and infecting the nail bed
hyponychium
the nail turns a variety of colors, which can be surface staining, a disorder, or poor circulation
discolored nail
Physical trauma or injury to the nail bed that damages the capillaries and allows small amounts of blood flow results in _______.
splinter hemorrhage
an abnormal condition that occurs when the skin is stretched by the nail plate; usually caused by serious injury or allergic reaction
nail pterygium
a slit or furrow on the sides of the nail
nail groove
a thin layer of tissue between the nail plate and the nail bed
bed epithelium
a tough band of fibrous tissue that connects bones or holds an organ in place
ligament
a noticeably thin, white nail plate that is more flexible than normal
eggshell nail
The disorder in which the edges of the nail plate curl around to form a sharp cone at the free edge is called _______
trumpet nail
bitten nails
onychophagy
a condition in which the eponychium or other living tissue surrounding the nail plate becomes split or torn
hangnail
a noninfectious condition that affects the surface of the nail plate, causing it t appear rough and pitted with reddish spots on the nail bed and onycholysis
nail psoriasis
split or brittle nails that also have a series of lengthwise ridges that give a rough appearance to the surface of the nail plate
onychorrhexis