Ava Monroe
The tracks on either side of a nail that guide its growth are called nail folds. They are folds of skin located at the lateral edges of the nail, anchoring the nail plate and holding it in place. The nail itself originates from the nail matrix, which is a growth area comprising living epidermal cells that divide to produce newer nail cells, pushing the older ones outward from the nail root to form the nail plate. The nail matrix is the only living part of a nail.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Nail folds |
| Description | Folds of skin located at the lateral edges of the nail |
| Function | Holds the sides of the nail plate in place, protects the area from potential injuries and infections, anchors the nail, and acts as a protective barrier |
| Growth | Nails grow at an average rate of 3 to 3.5 mm per month or about 0.1 mm per day |
| Growth Factors | Dominant hand, finger, season, age, hormone levels, overall health, and frequent nail clipping |
| Health Conditions | Iron-deficiency anemia, vitamin deficiencies, peripheral artery disease, nail infections, and chemotherapy |
| Related Structures | Nail plate, Nail matrix, Nail bed, Lunula, Cuticle, and Hyponychium |
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What You'll Learn
The nail matrix and its role
The nail matrix, also known as the matrix unguis, keratogenous membrane, or onychostroma, is the "factory" where new fingernails and toenails are made. It is the active tissue that generates cells, which then harden as they move outward from the nail root to the nail plate, forming the visible part of the nail. The nail matrix is located at the proximal end of the nail, beneath the base of the nail, and is responsible for most of the nail's growth.
The nail matrix is made up of living epidermal cells that divide to produce new nail cells, pushing the older ones forward to form the nail plate. The nail plate, or nail body, is the hard, visible part of the nail, made of translucent keratin protein. As the nail grows, the edges of the nail plate are embedded in the nail folds, which are the tracks on either side of the nail that guide its growth. These nail folds, also known as lateral nail folds, are essential for anchoring the nail in place and protecting it from potential injuries and infections.
The nail bed, which is the area under the nail plate, extends from the edge of the nail root or lunula to the hyponychium. The lunula is the white crescent shape at the base of the nail, which is the only visible part of the nail matrix. The nail bed contains blood vessels, nerves, and melanocytes that produce melanin. As the root grows, the nail adds material to the underside, making it thicker. When the nail grows properly, the nail bed should be smooth, but improper growth can cause the nail to split or develop ridges.
Overall, the nail matrix plays a crucial role in nail growth and health, and any damage to it can affect the appearance and growth of the nail. However, with proper treatment, healthy nails can often grow back even after falling off due to injury or illness.
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Nail growth factors
The growth of nails is a complex process that involves various structures and factors. One of the key players in nail growth is the nail matrix, often referred to as the "factory" where new nails are produced. It lies beneath the skin, at the inner edge of the nail plate, and is responsible for generating new cells that move outward, harden, and form the nail plate or nail body. The nail matrix includes the nail bed, which contains blood vessels, nerves, and melanocytes that produce melanin.
The nail plate, or the nail itself, is the visible hard nail area made of translucent keratin, a tough protein also found in claws, hooves, and horns of vertebrates. As the nail grows, it moves along the nail folds, which are tracks of epithelium on either side of the nail body. These nail folds, also known as cuticles, play a crucial role in anchoring the nail in place and protecting it from potential injuries and infections.
Several factors influence the rate of nail growth. Firstly, nails grow faster on the dominant hand, possibly due to increased usage and trauma. Age is another factor, as nail growth slows down with advancing age due to reduced blood circulation. Hormone levels and overall health can also impact nail growth rates. Additionally, nails tend to grow faster during the summertime and throughout the day.
Nutrition is an important consideration for nail health and growth. A lack of certain vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A, vitamin D, calcium, and vitamin B12, can lead to nail dryness, brittleness, discolouration, and changes in shape. Biotin-rich foods and supplements are often recommended to strengthen brittle nails and promote growth.
Certain illnesses and medications can also impact nail growth and appearance. For example, chemotherapy and peripheral artery disease can cause slow nail growth, while COVID-19, pneumonia, and heart attacks can lead to Beau's lines (horizontal ridges). Injuries to the nail matrix can result in bruising, ridges, or discolouration, and in some cases, the nail may fall off. With proper medical care, nails usually grow back, although severe matrix damage may prevent regrowth.
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Health conditions affecting nails
The nail matrix is the "factory" where your body makes new fingernails and toenails. Certain injuries and illnesses can damage your nail matrix and affect how your nails look or grow. Here are some health conditions that can affect nail growth and appearance:
Infections
A simple fungal infection can affect both fingernails and toenails. Fingernail infections usually respond faster to treatment than toenail infections. Prescription antifungal pills are the typical treatment for nail fungus.
Skin Diseases
Skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, lichen planus, and lupus can affect the nails. Abnormalities may include pits, grooves, or crumbling nails. Severe eczema can affect nail growth and cause Beau's lines, pitting, and texture or colour changes. Up to 80% of people with psoriasis develop nail psoriasis, which can cause white lines, pitting, and crumbling.
Cancer
Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, can occur under the nail. A new or changing dark streak could be melanoma and requires a skin cancer check by a dermatologist. Subungual melanoma, or nail matrix melanoma, affects the nail matrix and can cause brown or black discolouration.
Nutrient Deficiency
Iron-deficiency anaemia can lead to pale, thin, brittle, and ridged nails. Iron deficiency can also cause flat or concave nails, and vertical ridges or concavity can be caused by a lack of oxygen due to anaemia. A lack of vitamin A, vitamin D, or calcium can cause dryness and brittleness, while insufficient vitamin B12 can lead to excessive dryness, darkened nails, and rounded or curved nail ends. Insufficient vitamin A and B can result in fragile nails with horizontal and vertical ridges.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
PAD causes reduced blood flow to the legs and feet, which can slow nail growth.
Other Conditions
Clubbing is associated with lung disease and can cause nails to curve downward. Fingernails can also provide information about digestive conditions, heart health, diabetes, or kidney function.
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The nail bed
The nail matrix is the active tissue (or germinal matrix) that generates cells. 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 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. As the nail grows, the nail streams down along the nail bed and adds material to the underside of the nail to make it thicker.
The nail folds are the tracks on either side of the nail that guide its growth. They are folds of skin located at the lateral edges of the nail. As nails grow, they move outwards from the nail matrix located at the base of the nail. The nail folds play an essential role in holding the sides of the nail plate in place and protecting the area from potential injuries and infections.
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Nail growth and trauma
The tracks on either side of a nail that guide its growth are called the nail folds. These are folds of skin located at the lateral edges of the nail. As nails grow, they move outwards from the nail matrix, which is located at the base of the nail. The nail matrix is a growth area comprising living epidermal cells that divide to produce new nail cells, pushing the older ones forward to form the nail plate, which is the visible part of the nail. The nail folds play a crucial role in anchoring the sides of the nail plate in place and protecting the area from potential injuries and infections.
Trauma to the nails can occur in various ways, such as catching your nail on something or dropping a heavy object on your finger or toe. This can result in injuries to the nail matrix, which may cause bruising, ridges, or discolouration. In severe cases, the nail may fall off. It is important to note that the nail matrix is the "factory" where new nails are produced, and damage to this area can affect nail growth. However, with proper medical care, nails usually grow back, and it is rare for the nail matrix to be permanently damaged.
The rate of nail growth can be influenced by several factors, including the hand and finger affected, age, hormone levels, overall health, and circulation. Nails on the dominant hand tend to grow faster due to increased usage, which also increases the risk of trauma. Poor circulation, which can be caused by peripheral artery disease, and aging can lead to slower nail growth. Additionally, certain medications, such as chemotherapy, can temporarily affect nail growth and cause changes in nail appearance, such as Beau's lines (horizontal ridges) or slow growth.
To promote nail health and support growth, it is important to maintain proper nutrition, including adequate intake of vitamins and minerals. Brittle nails and nail ridges can be indicators of vitamin deficiencies, such as vitamin A, vitamin D, calcium, or vitamin B12 deficiency. Biotin-rich foods and supplements are often recommended to strengthen brittle nails and promote growth. Additionally, maintaining overall health and protecting nails from trauma can contribute to healthy nail growth.
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Frequently asked questions
The tracks on either side of the nail that guide its growth are called the nail folds.
Nail folds are folds of skin located at the lateral edges of the nail. They hold the sides of the nail plate in place and protect the area from potential injuries and infections.
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.
On average, a healthy person's fingernails grow about 3 to 3.5 millimetres per month. Toenails grow much slower, at an average rate of 1.62 millimetres per month.
The rate of nail growth depends on factors such as which hand it is, which finger the nail is on, your age, hormone levels, overall health, and the season. For example, nails grow faster during the summertime and on the dominant hand.
