Nail (anatomy)

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Nail (anatomy)

File:Human Nail Anatomy.png
Anatomy of a human nail

The nail is a specialized structure of the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin. It is made up of a hard, keratinized, protective plate that covers the dorsal aspect of the terminal parts of fingers and toes.

Structure[edit | edit source]

The nail consists of several parts, including the nail plate, the nail bed, the cuticle (eponychium), the nail folds, the lunula, and the matrix.

Nail plate[edit | edit source]

The nail plate is the hard and translucent part, composed of keratin. It is strong and flexible, providing protection to the fingertips and enhancing the sensitivity of the fingertip.

Nail bed[edit | edit source]

The nail bed is the skin beneath the nail plate. It contains blood vessels, nerves, and melanocytes, the cells that produce the pigment melanin.

Cuticle (Eponychium)[edit | edit source]

The cuticle is a layer of clear skin located along the bottom edge of the nail plate. It serves to protect new nails from bacteria when they grow out from the nail root.

Nail folds[edit | edit source]

The nail folds are the skin that frames and supports the nail on three sides.

Lunula[edit | edit source]

The lunula is the crescent-shaped whitish area of the nail bed. It is the visible part of the nail matrix (the part of the nail bed that is beneath the nail and contains nerves, lymph and blood vessels).

Matrix[edit | edit source]

The matrix is the tissue which the nail protects. It is the part of the nail bed that is beneath the nail and contains nerves, lymph and blood vessels. The matrix produces cells that become the nail plate.

Function[edit | edit source]

Nails serve multiple functions. They protect the fingertips and toes, enhance fine touch, and aid in the picking up of small objects. In animals, nails are used for scratching, climbing, digging, or catching prey.

Health and disease[edit | edit source]

Nail health can be a reflection of overall health. Changes in the nails, such as discoloration or thickening, can signal health problems, including liver and kidney diseases, heart and lung conditions, anemia, and diabetes. Nail problems can also be caused by fungal infections, injuries, and certain medications.

See also[edit | edit source]


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