Sophia Delgado
Fingernails are made of a protein called keratin, which forms the cells of your hair and skin, too. They are composed of dead cells that are tightly packed together, but they are not entirely lifeless. The nail plate, which is the hard, visible part of the nail, is formed by specialised cells at the base of the nail, known as the matrix. The matrix produces new cells that push the older ones forward, causing the nail to grow. As the cells move forward, they harden and become compacted, forming the hard surface of the nail plate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What are nails made of? | A tough, rigid protein called alpha-keratin |
| What is keratin? | A polymer also found in claws, hooves, and horns of vertebrates |
| What is the nail made of? | The nail plate, the nail matrix, and the nail bed below it, and the grooves surrounding it |
| What is the nail matrix? | The active tissue (or germinal matrix) that generates cells |
| What is the nail plate? | The visible hard nail area from the nail root to the free edge |
| What is the nail bed? | The skin beneath the nail plate, which contains tiny blood vessels |
| What is the cuticle? | A thin, waterproof membrane that seals the nail plate to the fingertip |
| What is the lunula? | The whitish, crescent-shaped base of the visible nail |
| What is the function of nails? | To protect the distal phalanx, the fingertip, and the surrounding soft tissues from injuries |
| How fast do fingernails grow? | Around 3-3.5mm per month |
| How fast do toenails grow? | Around 1.6-1.62mm per month |
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What You'll Learn
Nails are made of a protein called keratin
The nail body, or nail plate, is the visible hard nail area that we trim and care for. It is made of translucent keratin protein and consists of several layers of dead, compacted cells. This gives the nail strength and flexibility. The nail plate is strongly attached to the nail bed and does not contain any nerves or blood vessels. The nail bed is the skin beneath the nail plate, and it is the area on which the nail plate rests.
The nail matrix is the active tissue that generates cells. It is also known as the matrix unguis, keratogenous membrane, or onychostroma. The nail matrix is the part of the nail bed that is beneath the nail and contains nerves, lymph, and blood vessels. As new nail plate cells are formed in the nail matrix, they push older nail plate cells forward, causing the nail to grow. The lunula, or "small moon", is the whitish crescent-shaped base of the visible nail. It is the visible part of the matrix and can be best seen in the thumb.
Keratin is essential for nail integrity and provides nails with their protective qualities, allowing for both structural support and sensitivity. It also helps keep nails healthy and strong. The alpha-keratin found in nails is a type of keratin that is also found in the claws, hooves, and horns of vertebrates.
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Cells begin in the matrix, where they are compacted and pushed out over the nail bed
The formation of fingernails begins in the matrix, a part of the fingertip known as the nail root. The matrix is a layer of skin that produces new cells, which are then compacted and pushed out over the nail bed to form the nail plate. The nail plate is the hard, visible part of the nail that we see.
The matrix is the active tissue that generates cells, which then move outward from the nail root to the nail plate. As new cells are formed, they push older cells forward, causing the nail to grow. This process is known as keratinization, where the cells harden and become compacted, forming the hard surface of the nail plate. The nail plate is made of a tough, rigid protein called alpha-keratin, which also forms the cells of our hair and skin.
The width and thickness of the nail plate are determined by the size, length, and thickness of the matrix, while the shape of the fingertip bone determines the transverse shape of the nail plate. The nail bed is the skin beneath the nail plate, which contains nerves, lymph, and tiny blood vessels called capillaries. These capillaries supply the nail plate with necessary nutrients and give the nails their pinkish colour.
The lunula is the whitish, crescent-shaped part of the nail that can be seen at the base of the visible nail. It is the visible part of the matrix and appears white due to the reflection of light where the matrix and nail bed meet. The lunula can be best observed in the thumb and may not be visible in the little finger.
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The lunula is the whitish, crescent-shaped part of the nail
The lunula is the whitish, crescent-shaped structure at the base of the fingernail, also known as the half-moon. The word "lunula" comes from the Latin word for "small moon," reflecting its shape. It is a part of the nail matrix, the tissue just beneath the nail that contains nerves, lymph, and blood vessels, and produces the cells that form the hardened nail plate.
The lunula is not always visible on all nails, and its appearance can vary across each nail. It is typically most noticeable on the thumb, appearing smaller on the index finger and gradually reducing in size towards the little finger, where it may be barely visible or hidden under the skin. The lunula appears white due to the reflection of light where the nail matrix and nail bed meet.
The lunula is vulnerable to damage as it consists of soft nail cells that are not fully keratinized. While discolored or missing lunulae are usually not a cause for concern, certain changes in their appearance may indicate underlying health issues. For example, blue-grey lunulae could be a sign of silver poisoning, while red lunulae may signal heart failure.
The visibility of the lunula can also vary between individuals. While everyone has a nail matrix, the lunula may not be visible on every nail. The size and prominence of the lunula can be influenced by factors such as physical activity levels, with reports suggesting that larger lunulae may be more common in athletes and individuals who engage in significant physical activity.
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The nail plate is the hard, visible part of the nail
The nail plate, also known as the nail body or corpus unguis, is the hard, visible part of the nail. It is made of translucent keratin protein and is about half a millimeter thick. The nail plate is formed from several layers of dead, compacted cells, which give the nail strength and flexibility. The shape of the nail plate is determined by the underlying bone.
The nail plate is strongly attached to the nail bed, which is the skin beneath it. The nail bed is made of two types of tissues: the dermis and the epidermis. The nail bed contains nerves and blood vessels, which supply nourishment to the entire nail unit. The nail plate and nail bed are separated at the tip of the finger or toe, allowing the nails to be used as tools, for example, for scratching.
The nail plate is formed by the nail matrix, which is the active tissue that generates cells. The nail matrix is also known as the matrix unguis, keratogenous membrane, or onychostroma. It is located beneath the nail and contains nerves, lymph, and blood vessels. As new nail plate cells are produced, they push older cells outward, causing them to harden and become the nail plate. The width and thickness of the nail plate are determined by the size and thickness of the matrix.
The lunula, or "small moon," is a white, crescent-shaped structure at the base of the nail plate. It is the visible part of the nail matrix and can be seen through the translucent nail plate. The lunula appears white due to the reflection of light where the nail matrix and nail bed meet. Not all fingers may have a visible lunula, and it is typically most noticeable on the thumb.
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The nail bed is the skin beneath the nail plate
The dermis of the nail bed contains a rich supply of blood and lymph vessels, as well as nerve endings, which are essential for keeping the nail plate healthy and protecting it. The nail bed is also responsible for supplying nourishment to the entire nail unit. The nail bed is susceptible to various conditions, such as onycholysis, which is when the nail separates from the nail bed. This condition can be caused by injuries, fungal infections, or other underlying issues.
The nail plate, also known as the nail body, is the hard, visible part of the nail that extends from the nail root to the free edge. It is made of translucent keratin protein and consists of several layers of dead, compacted cells, giving the nail its strength and flexibility. The nail plate is strongly attached to the nail bed and does not contain nerves or blood vessels.
The lunula, or "small moon," is the whitish, crescent-shaped base of the visible nail. It is the visible part of the nail matrix, which is the actively growing tissue that generates cells. The cells harden as they move outward from the nail root to the nail plate, forming the nail plate. The width and thickness of the nail plate are determined by the size and thickness of the matrix, while the shape is influenced by the underlying bone.
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Frequently asked questions
Fingernails are made of a tough, rigid protein called alpha-keratin.
Yes, fingernails are made of highly specialized epithelial cells.
The matrix at the base of the nail produces new cells that push the older ones forward, causing the nail to grow. As the cells move forward, they harden and become compacted, forming the hard surface of the nail plate.
The matrix, also known as the nail matrix or the germinal matrix, is the active tissue that generates cells. It is the part of the nail bed that is beneath the nail and contains nerves, lymph, and blood vessels.
The nail plate, also known as the nail body, is the visible hard nail area from the nail root to the free edge. It is made of translucent keratin protein and several layers of dead, compacted cells, which make the nail strong but flexible.
