nail structure and growth

1

100

A Thin layer of epithelium between the nail plate and the nail bed. 

BED EPITHELIUM 

200

A nonliving, colorless tissue attached to the nail plate. 

CUTICLE 

300

A tough and fibrous tissue that connects bones or holds an organ in place. 

LIGAMENT

400

Also known as the skin sidewall folds that line the nail plate's overlapping.  

LATERAL NAIL FOLD

500

A living skin underneath the PNF is found at the nail plate base, covering the matrix area. 

EPONYCHIUM

2

100

A part of the nail plate that extends over the tips of the finger or toe. 

FREE EDGE 

200

Folds of the skin that surround the nail plate. 

NAIL FOLDS

300

A technical term for the nails of the fingers and toes. 

ONYX

400

Portion of the living skin that supplies the nail plate, which grows toward the free edge. 

NAIL BED

500

All parts of the finger from the tip to the first knuckle are technically referred to as the onyx and are composed mainly of keratin. 

NATURAL NAIL UNIT

3

100

A slit or furrow on the side of the nail. 

NAIL GROOVE

200

An area where the nail plate cells are formed, composed of matrix cells that produce the nail plate.

MATRIX

300

A visible part of the matrix that extends from underneath the living skin lunula, half-moon shape at the base of the nail 

LUNULA

400

A hardened keratin plate that sits on and covers the natural nail bed. It is the most visible and functional part of the natural nail unit.

NAIL PLATE

500

Collectively, the nail bed, nail fold, eponychium, paronychium, and hyponychium.

PERIONYCHIUM

4

400

slightly thickened layer of the skin that lies between the fingertips of the nail plate, forming a protective barrier against microorganisms from invading and infecting the nail bed.

HYPONYCIUM

500

Abbreviated PNF entire flap of the skin covering the matrix extending from the edge of the visible nail plate to the first joint of the finger or toe. 

PROXIMAL NAIL FOLD