This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Go to /pro/cpd-dashboard page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. CPD dashboard

Go to /account/subscription-details page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. Upgrade to Pro

Nail

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Nails are keratinized plates derived from skin epidermis. They are situated on the distal, dorsal surface of every digit. The nail, more correctly a nail plate, is made of hard keratin and sits on a nail bed of epidermal cells similar to those of the stratum basale and stratum spinosum.

The nail plate is formed in its proximal region, termed the root. Here, within a protective nail fold of skin below the interface with epidermal cells - the eponychium or cuticle, a matrix of germinative epidermal cells divide and keratinize. The matrix extends as far forward as the lunula, the crescent-shaped area that is whiter than the distal body of the nail due to incomplete keratinization.

Keratinized cells distal to the matrix are pushed forward, sliding over the nail bed, by the division of cells at the root. The nail is bounded on either side by margins of skin termed nail walls. Distally, the epidermis adheres to the undersurface of the free nail edge; this area is termed the hyponychium.

Nails function to:

  • reinforce and protect the terminal phalanx
  • aid in the sensation of fine touch

Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.