Noah Sinclair
Fingernails and toenails are made of a tough, rigid protein called alpha-keratin, which is also found in the claws, hooves, and horns of vertebrates. The nail plate, or nail body, is the hard, outer part of the nail, made of translucent keratin protein. It acts as a protective barrier, preventing most substances from being absorbed into the body. While the nail plate is highly resistant to most substances, it can absorb moisture via water and certain oil-soluble substances, such as squalene and nicotine. Fingernails also provide protection from viruses and bacteria, enhance fine motor movements, and improve grip.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is a nail? | A protective plate found at the tip of the digits (fingers and toes) of all primates. |
| What are fingernails made of? | A tough rigid protein called alpha-keratin, a polymer also found in the claws, hooves, and horns of vertebrates. |
| What is the nail plate? | The visible hard nail area from the nail root to the free edge, made of translucent keratin protein. |
| What is the nail matrix? | The active tissue (or germinal matrix) that generates cells. |
| What is the nail bed? | The skin beneath the nail plate. It is the area of the nail on which the nail plate rests. |
| What is the function of fingernails? | Protection from viruses and bacteria, enhancing fine motor movements, and providing sensation. |
| Do fingernails absorb anything? | The nail plate is highly resistant to most substances, but it can absorb moisture via water and certain oil-soluble substances, like squalene and nicotine tars from smoking. |
| How fast do fingernails grow? | Fingernails grow at a rate of about 3 millimeters per month, while toenails grow slightly slower. |
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What You'll Learn
The nail plate is a protective barrier
The nail plate, also known as the nail body, is the hard, outer, protective layer of the nail. It is made of translucent, rigid alpha-keratin protein. The nail plate is formed from several layers of dead, compacted cells, which make it strong and flexible. The nail plate is strongly attached to the nail bed, which is the skin beneath the nail plate. The nail bed is highly innervated, and removing the nail plate can be excruciatingly painful. The nail bed is pink due to the enriched vascular supply just below it.
The nail plate is formed from the matrix of the nail unit. The matrix is the area of actively growing tissue beneath the nail plate that generates new cells. The matrix is also known as the matrix unguis, keratogenous membrane, or onychostroma. The cells produced by the matrix harden as they move outward from the nail root to the nail plate. The width and thickness of the nail plate are determined by the size, length, and thickness of the matrix. The nail plate takes around five months to complete its journey from the matrix to the free edge of the nail.
The nail plate is an important structure that serves multiple functions, including protection, sensation, and enhancing fine motor movements. Its protective nature helps to shield the underlying structures of the finger and prevent the entry of harmful substances. The nail plate is a critical component of the nail anatomy, contributing to both the structure and functionality of the nails.
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Nails are made of alpha-keratin
Fingernails and toenails are made of a tough, rigid protein called alpha-keratin, a polymer also found in the claws, hooves, and horns of vertebrates. The nail plate, or 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 is strongly attached to the nail bed. The nail bed is the skin beneath the nail plate, to which it is firmly attached. The nail matrix, or the active tissue that generates cells, is the part of the nail bed that lies beneath the nail and contains nerves, lymph, and blood vessels. The cells produced by the nail matrix harden as they move outward from the nail root to the nail plate, creating the protective shield that we know as our fingernails and toenails.
Keratin is a structural fibrous protein, or scleroprotein, that forms a protective shield in vertebrates. It is the key structural material that makes up scales, hair, nails, feathers, horns, claws, hooves, and the outer layer of skin in vertebrates. The property of most biological importance of alpha-keratin is its structural stability. When exposed to mechanical stress, α-keratin structures can retain their shape and, therefore, protect what they surround. Under high tension, the alpha-helix configuration of alpha-keratin can even change into beta-pleated sheets. Alpha-keratin is synthesized through protein biosynthesis, utilizing transcription and translation. As the cell matures and fills with α-keratin, it dies, creating a strong, non-vascular unit of keratinized tissue.
The different consistencies of keratin cells, from soft to moderately hard to hard, come together to form the protective shield of our fingernails. While the keratin cells are no longer living, they represent formerly living cells that once needed nutrients and proteins to survive. This is why nutritional deficiencies can lead to deformities in the nails. The strength and existence of fingernails help keep our fingertips from rolling backward when we hold something. The main function of toenails is likely protection, compared to enhancing grip or the fine motor functions that fingernails provide.
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Fingernails enhance motor movements
Fingernails, composed of the nail plate, nail bed, and cuticle, are made of a tough, rigid protein called alpha-keratin. They are protective plates found at the tip of the digits (fingers and toes) of primates, corresponding to the claws in other tetrapod animals. The transition from claws to nails in primates, including humans, has provided several advantages in terms of dexterity and fine motor skills.
The hard and durable structure of nails allows for increased pressure and stability when gripping objects. They enable us to perform everyday tasks with ease, such as holding a pen, opening a bottle, or typing on a keyboard. Nails also play a role in sensation, as they contain a network of sensitive nerves that enable us to feel texture, pressure, and temperature.
The presence of fingernails can also prevent viruses and bacteria from entering the body. They safeguard the fingertips from injuries and infections, reducing the risk of damage to the underlying tissues. Proper nail care is important to maintain their health and appearance, as changes in nail appearance or condition may signify underlying medical conditions or nutritional deficiencies.
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Nails can indicate underlying medical conditions
Fingernails and toenails are made of a tough, rigid protein called alphakeratin. The nail plate, or nail body, is the hard, visible part of the nail, made of translucent keratin protein. The word "nail" often refers to this part only. The nail plate is strongly attached to the nail bed, which contains nerves, lymph, and blood vessels.
Nail health is closely associated with how well your body is functioning in other areas. Nails can indicate underlying medical conditions, and doctors frequently assess fingernails to help diagnose different conditions. For example, deep, horizontally transverse grooves known as "Beau's lines" may form across the nails. These lines are usually a natural consequence of aging, although they may also result from kidney disease or another underlying condition. Discoloration, thinning, thickening, brittleness, splitting, grooves, small white spots, receded lunula, clubbing (convex), flatness, and spooning (concave) can indicate illness in other areas of the body, nutrient deficiencies, drug reactions, poisoning, or local injury.
Yellow nails are relatively common and are usually caused by a fungal infection. In rare cases, yellow nails can indicate a more serious condition such as severe thyroid disease, lung disease, diabetes, or psoriasis. Nails with a bluish tint can mean the body isn't getting enough oxygen, indicating a lung problem such as emphysema or a heart problem. If the nail surface is rippled or pitted, this may be an early sign of psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis.
Horizontal lines on the nails, also known as Muehrcke's lines, may indicate low albumin levels, an essential protein that helps maintain fluid balance and transport substances in the body. A new, longitudinal light to dark brown band on the nail could be a sign of subungual melanoma, a type of melanoma that occurs in the fingernail.
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Only water and some oils can penetrate the nail plate
The nail plate, also known as the nail body, is a protective plate found at the tip of the digits (fingers and toes) of primates. It is made of a tough, rigid protein called alpha-keratin, which forms several layers of dead, compacted cells that give the nail its strength and flexibility.
The nail plate acts as a formidable barrier, safeguarding the nail bed from absorbing most external substances. Its tough and impenetrable nature makes it difficult for anything other than water and certain oils to permeate beyond the upper layers of the nail plate.
Water can easily penetrate the nail plate due to its ability to dissolve water-soluble substances. Similarly, oil-soluble substances can be dissolved by certain oils, allowing them to pass through the nail plate. However, oily substances move more slowly than water, and only substances that mimic the natural oils in the nail plate can migrate through.
While tars and nicotine from smoking can create surface stains on the nail plate, they cannot penetrate deeply. Instead, they pool just under the upper surface, resulting in a stain that darkens with increased exposure. This demonstrates the nail plate's ability to resist the absorption of most substances, providing protection to the underlying nail bed and the body.
In summary, the nail plate is highly resistant to penetration, and only water and specific oil-soluble substances can easily pass through. This knowledge is essential for understanding nail health and the potential impact of external substances on the body through nail absorption.
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Frequently asked questions
Fingernails are made of a tough, rigid protein called alpha-keratin.
Fingernails have multiple purposes, including protection, enhancing fine motor movements, and sensation.
The body cannot absorb fingernails. Fingernails are made of formerly living cells that have hardened and are no longer living, so they cannot be absorbed by the body.
The nail plate acts as a robust barrier that protects the nail bed and body from absorbing most chemicals and substances. Only certain naturally occurring oil-soluble substances, like squalene, and water can easily penetrate the nail plate.
