Caleb Foster
The nail is a protective plate found at the tip of the digits (fingers and toes) of primates, corresponding to the claws in other animals. Unlike bones, which are made of collagen, nails are made of a tough, rigid protein called alpha-keratin, which is also found in hair and skin. The nail anatomy serves to protect against infections or injuries, while improving sensation and dexterity. The growth rate of nails is related to the length of the outermost finger bones, with the nail of the index finger growing faster than that of the little finger. Fingernails grow at a rate of about 3-3.5 millimeters per month, while toenails grow about half as fast.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What nails are made of | A tough, rigid protein called alpha-keratin |
| What bones are made of | Collagen |
| Growth rate of fingernails | 3 to 3.5 mm per month |
| Growth rate of toenails | 1.6 mm per month |
| Time taken for fingernails to regrow completely | 3 to 6 months |
| Time taken for toenails to regrow completely | 12 to 18 months |
| Factors affecting growth rate | Age, sex, season, exercise level, diet, and hereditary factors |
| Function of nails | Protect against infections or injury, improve sensation and dexterity, and provide functional abilities like scratching, grooming, and self-defense |
| Function of claws | Climbing, digging, and fighting |
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What You'll Learn
Nails are made of keratin, a tough protein
While bones are made up of collagen and calcium phosphate, nails are made of a tough protein called keratin. Keratin is a hardened protein that forms the cells of your hair, skin, and nails. It also forms cells that are a key part of many glands and that line internal organs. The formation of a nail begins out of sight, inside a part of the fingertip called the nail root or sinus, which is located a couple of millimetres behind the cuticle of your finger and toenails. This is where the cells that will eventually form the nail plate gradually die, harden, and push out of the skin.
As the older cells are compacted and pushed out of the skin by the formation of new cells, they take the hardened, flattened form of the fingernail. The nail plate is the part of the nail that you can see. The nail bed is the tissue underneath the nail plate, which contains tiny blood vessels. The cuticle is the layer of clear skin that overlaps and forms a rim at the base of the nail plate, and the nail folds are the skin that supports and frames the nail on three sides. The lunula is the white or whitish half-moon shape at the base of your nail, and the matrix is the buried part of the nail found under the cuticle, where the nail originates.
The matrix constantly produces new keratin that gathers at the nail plate and slowly pushes the nail forward, causing it to grow. Fingernails grow at a rate of about 3 millimetres per month, and toenails grow a little slower. Nails grow faster in the summer than in winter, and they also grow faster on your dominant hand. Various factors can affect the growth rate of nails, including nutrition, nail care, and stress levels.
Nails are an important indicator of health status, lifestyle, and recreational habits. For example, yellow, brown, or green nails usually indicate a fungal infection, while white spots or lines are typically caused by minor injuries such as nail-biting.
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Bones are made of collagen, a different protein
Your nails are made from a protein called keratin, which is different from bones, which are made mostly of collagen. Keratin is also what forms the cells of your hair and skin. It protects nails from damage by making them strong and resilient.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body, accounting for about 30% of your body's total protein. It is the primary building block of your body's skin, muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, and other connective tissues. It is also found in your organs, blood vessels, and intestinal lining.
Collagen is a type of protein whose functions differ from those of globular proteins, such as enzymes. It is one of the long, fibrous structural proteins. Tough bundles of collagen called collagen fibres are a major component of the extracellular matrix that supports most tissues and gives cells structure from the outside. It is also found inside certain cells. Collagen has great tensile strength and is the main component of fascia, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, bones, and skin.
Collagen is composed mainly of the amino acids glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. These amino acids form three strands, which make up the triple-helix structure characteristic of collagen. This triple-helix structure makes it a very strong molecule and ideal for use in bones, as it does not compromise the structural integrity of the skeleton.
Collagen can be found in many foods, including oranges, strawberries, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, mushrooms, cabbage, asparagus, peanuts, wheat, fish, egg whites, meat, red meats, turkey, chicken, pork skin, and more.
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Fingernails grow faster than toenails
Nails are made of a protein called keratin, which is also found in hair and skin. They start growing under the skin, where new cells are formed and push the old ones out. Fingernails grow at a rate of about 3 millimetres per month, while toenails grow a little slower, at around 1.62 millimetres per month. This difference in growth rate has been observed in various studies, with one study specifically examining the growth rates of fingernails and toenails in healthy young adults. The study found that the average growth rate of fingernails was faster than that of toenails, with a statistically significant difference.
Several factors can influence the growth rate of nails. One factor is age; nail growth tends to peak during the second and third decades of life and then gradually decline. This decline in growth rate may be attributed to decreased blood circulation and changing hormone levels with age. Additionally, medical conditions such as Raynaud's phenomenon, which affects blood flow, can impact nail growth.
Another factor that affects nail growth is the dominant hand. Nails on the dominant hand tend to grow faster, possibly due to increased usage, which leads to a higher risk of trauma. Similarly, nails on longer fingers have been observed to grow faster. Seasonal variations have also been noted, with nails growing faster during the summer and slower during the winter.
While the exact mechanisms behind fingernail and toenail growth rates remain unknown, it is well-established that fingernails grow at a faster rate than toenails. This knowledge can help individuals manage their nail care and maintain healthy nails.
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Nails protect against infection and injury
Nails are made from a protein called keratin, which also forms the cells of our hair and skin. Keratin makes nails strong and resilient, protecting them from damage. This protective function of nails guards the sensitive tips of our fingers and toes from injury and infection.
Injury to the nail can occur through trauma, such as stubbing your toe or dropping a heavy object on your finger. Continuous mild trauma, such as habitual finger-tapping or using nails as tools (e.g. to pick between the teeth), can also cause nail damage.
Infection can enter the body through the nail when bacteria get into the skin through cuts in the cuticle, the nail fold (the skin around the nail), or broken skin. Some common bacteria that cause nail infections include Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. People who work with chemicals, have their hands frequently wet, or bite their nails are at a higher risk of developing a nail infection.
Certain skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis, can also cause nail problems. Additionally, people with diabetes or compromised immune systems are more susceptible to fungal nail infections, which can turn the nail yellow, brown, or green.
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White spots on nails are usually from minor injuries
Unlike bones, which are made mostly of collagen, nails are made of a protein called keratin. Keratin forms the cells of your hair and skin, too. It also forms cells that are a key part of many glands and that line internal organs. Keratin protects nails from damage by making them strong and resilient.
White spots on your nails are usually the result of a nail injury called leukonychia. This condition consists of a whitening of the entire nail and most likely occurs on all nails. However, whitening of one, and only one, entire nail is not recognized as a symptom of leukonychia totalis but as a likely result of mechanical trauma.
Leukonychia is derived from the Greek words "leuko" (white) and "onyx" (nail). It is a medical term for white discoloration appearing on nails. The most common cause is injury to the base of the nail (the matrix) where the nail is formed. White spots that occur due to an injury are called leukonychia. These injuries can occur if you accidentally close your finger in a car door or strike the tip of your finger with a hammer.
Other potential causes of white spots in your nails include allergies, fungal infection, mineral deficiency, or heavy metal poisoning. In addition, stress can cause your nails to grow more slowly or even temporarily stop growing. When they start growing again, you might see horizontal lines across your nails. They’re usually harmless and will grow out.
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Frequently asked questions
No, finger nails are not bones. Nails are made of a tough rigid protein called alpha-keratin, which is also found in hair and skin. Bones, on the other hand, are made mostly of collagen.
Fingernails serve a number of purposes. They help with gripping, scratching, grooming, and self-defence. They also protect against infections, which can occur when the nail plate and other structures are damaged or brittle.
Fingernails grow at an average rate of about 3 to 3.5 mm a month, with toenails growing about half as fast. The growth rate varies between different fingers, with the nail of the index finger growing faster than that of the little finger.
