Liam Carter
Fingernails are made of a tough, dead substance called keratin, which is also found in hair and is made up of several layers of dead, compacted cells. They are protective plates found at the tip of the digits of all primates, corresponding to the claws in other animals. Nails are formed by living cells, which are produced by a structure called the root or matrix, located beneath the skin. As new cells are formed, they are pushed forward by newer cells, causing the older cells to flatten and harden into the nail plate. While nails do not continue to grow after death, they can appear longer as the skin around them retracts and dehydrates.
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What You'll Learn
Nails are made of a tough, dead substance called keratin
The nail is a protective plate found at the tip of the digits (fingers and toes) of primates. Nails are made of a tough, dead substance called keratin, a type of rigid protein. Keratin forms the cells of our hair and skin, and it also forms cells that are a key part of many glands and that line internal organs.
The nail consists of the nail plate, the nail matrix, and the nail bed below it, and the grooves surrounding it. The nail matrix is the active tissue that generates cells. The cells harden as they move outward from the nail root to the nail plate. The nail matrix is also known as the matrix unguis, keratogenous membrane, or onychostroma. 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. 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 shape of the nail. The nail plate is made of translucent keratin protein and is about half a millimeter thick and slightly curved.
The nail is an important part of the sense of touch. It is framed by the lateral nail folds on either side of it. The skin bordering the lower end of the nail is called the proximal nail fold. A thin layer of skin, known as the cuticle, grows over the nail there. At the proximal nail fold, the nail is tucked into a pouch in the skin. This area is referred to as the matrix.
Nails start growing under your skin. As new cells grow, they push old ones through your skin. The part you can see consists of dead cells. That’s why it doesn’t hurt to cut your nails. Tiny blood vessels, called capillaries, sit under the nail bed. Blood flowing through the capillaries helps nails grow and gives them their pinkish color. The nails you can see are dead and have no feeling. However, a layer of skin under the nails, called the dermis, has sensory nerve endings. These send a signal to your brain when pressure is applied to your nails.
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Nails start out as living cells, formed in the root or matrix
Nails are made of a tough, dead substance called keratin, a type of protein. But nails start out as living cells formed in the root or matrix, a little pocket of flesh beneath the skin that connects to blood vessels. This structure, also known as the germinal matrix, produces the vast majority of the cells that form the nail plate.
The matrix churns out living cells that are slowly pushed forward by newly formed cells jostling for space behind them. As they are edged out from beneath the skin and into the open, the older cells flatten and harden to form the tough shield of the nail plate. The nail plate, or 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 matrix is the active tissue that generates cells. The cells 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 is sometimes referred to as the nail body and is made of several layers of dead, compacted cells that cause the nail to be strong but flexible.
The nail bed is the part of the nail beneath the nail plate that contains nerves, lymph, and blood vessels. The matrix produces cells that become the nail plate, and the nail bed provides the nutrients needed to make new cells. The nail root is the anterior margin of the nail plate that corresponds to the abrasive or cutting edge of the nail.
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Nails do not continue to grow after death
Our nails are made of a tough, dead substance called keratin, which is also what our hair is made of. While we are alive, our bodies produce new cells that make our hair and nails grow. Nails grow at a rate of about 3.47 mm per month, and it would take about six months to replace an entire fingernail if you lost it. However, nails and hair do not continue to grow after death.
The myth that hair and nails continue to grow after death is a common one. It is perpetuated by the optical illusion of growth that occurs due to dehydration and desiccation, which cause the skin on the head and around the nails to dry up and retract. This makes the hair and nails appear longer, giving the impression that they have grown. This process of retraction begins within several minutes of death and can occur in the hours after death due to some cellular functions that create keratin still taking place.
The association between death and nail growth is not a new one. Old tales of vampirism in Europe often featured vampires with long nails, and in the 1920s, author Erich Maria Remarque, in his novel "All Quiet on the Western Front," described nails that continued to grow after death, twisting themselves into corkscrews. Even today, many grieving families believe they see new growth of hair or nails on a dead body, which can be difficult to process during an emotional time.
While it is true that nails do not continue to grow after death, the illusion of growth can be quite convincing, and it is understandable why this myth has persisted.
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Nails curve downward due to clubbing
Nails curve downward due to a condition known as nail clubbing. It is characterised by the enlargement of fingertips and the downward curving of nails, which may feel spongy or soft when pressed. This condition can occur gradually, making it hard to spot at first. It is often associated with diseases of the heart and lungs, such as lung cancer, lung infections, interstitial lung disease, cardiovascular disease, and cystic fibrosis. In fact, 90% of all clubbing cases are caused by lung cancer.
Nail clubbing can also be caused by other types of cancer, including oesophageal cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma. Additionally, thyroid conditions such as hyperthyroidism and Grave's disease have been known to cause nail clubbing in some individuals. It is important to note that nail clubbing itself is usually harmless and not painful, but it can indicate a more serious underlying health condition that requires medical attention.
The curving of nails can be a result of inherited family traits, as some people inherit a gene that causes nail clubbing. It may also be influenced by lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption. Therefore, it is essential to consult a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause of nail clubbing and receive appropriate treatment.
The treatment for nail clubbing focuses on addressing the underlying cause. For example, a treatment plan for lung cancer may include chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, or medications. Preventative measures, such as regular physical examinations and a healthy lifestyle, can also help lower the risk of developing conditions associated with nail clubbing.
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Nails are more permeable than skin
While nails are often considered an impermeable barrier, this is not the case. In fact, nails are much more permeable than skin. The composition of the nail includes 7–12% water.
Nails are made of a tough, dead substance called keratin, the same material that makes up hair. But nails actually start out as living cells. Behind the cuticles on fingers and toes, just beneath the skin, is a structure called the "root" that produces living cells to form the nail. Also known as the matrix, this little pocket of flesh connects to blood vessels, which supply the nail with the nutrients it needs to make new cells. As keratin cells form at the root, they're slowly pushed forward by newly-formed cells that are jostling for space behind them. Edged out from beneath the skin and into the open, the older cells flatten and harden to form the tough shield of the nail plate.
The nail plate, or nail body, is the visible hard nail area from the nail root to the free edge. It is made of translucent keratin protein. In old age, the nail plate becomes thinner, and the grooves that attach the epidermis to the dermis become more visible. The nail bed, the skin beneath the nail plate, is highly innervated, and removing the nail plate is often excruciatingly painful as a result.
Nails can provide insight into a person's health. For example, pitted nails could be a sign of a disease that affects the entire body, such as alopecia areata. Yellow nails could be a sign of something going on inside the body, and thick, overgrown nails could be a result of a disease such as psoriasis, ichthyosis, or circulation problems. Nails can also be affected by a lack of essential fatty acids, such as linoleic acid, and iron deficiency.
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Frequently asked questions
Finger nails are made of a tough, dead substance called keratin, the same material that makes up hair. Nails start out as living cells, which are slowly pushed forward by new cells being formed behind them.
Contrary to popular belief, nails do not continue to grow after death. The skin dehydrates and tightens, making the nails appear longer.
Some common nail problems include spoon-shaped nails, pitted nails, nail lifting, nail clubbing, nail discolouration, and ridges.
