Caleb Foster
The growth of nails is a fascinating process. In humans and other primates, nails are platelike, keratinous, and translucent structures that grow on the back of each finger and toe at the outer end. All nail growth occurs at the nail's base, where specialized cells are produced and pushed forward as new cells form behind them. The nail is divided into three main parts: the nail itself, the underlying structure that supports nail growth, and the skin tissue that surrounds it. The nail root and nail bed are responsible for the nail's length and thickness, respectively, and the nail grows diagonally, with new cells pushing the old nail plate forward.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Part of the body | Nails are found on the back of each finger and toe at its outer end |
| Composition | Nails are made of keratin, a protein also found in hair and skin |
| Growth | Nails grow from a deep groove in the dermis of the skin, at a rate of about 3-3.5mm per month |
| Structure | Nails are divided into three parts: the nail itself, the underlying structure that supports nail growth, and the skin tissue that surrounds it |
| Nail bed | The nail bed contains blood vessels, nerves, and melanocytes that produce melanin |
| Nail root | The nail root determines the length of the nail and is visible as a white crescent called the lunula |
| Nail matrix | The nail matrix lies beneath the skin at the inner edge of the nail plate and is responsible for most of the nail's growth |
| Nail plate | The nail plate is the actual fingernail, made of translucent keratin, and attached to the nail bed |
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What You'll Learn
The nail root and nail bed
The nail bed, on the other hand, is the skin beneath the nail plate, providing support and nourishment to the nail. It extends from the edge of the nail root to the tissue known as the hyponychium. The nail bed contains blood vessels, nerves, and melanocytes that produce melanin. It is responsible for the thickness of the nail, contributing about 20% to its formation. The nail bed is also referred to as the sterile matrix or the nail matrix, which is the actively growing tissue that generates new cells.
As the nail grows, new cells are formed in the nail matrix and push forward, causing the nail to lengthen. The nail streams down along the nail bed, adding material to the underside of the nail to increase its thickness. The nail plate is attached firmly to the nail bed, and they separate at the tip of the finger or toe. This attachment allows us to use our nails as tools, such as for scratching or grooming.
The health of the nail bed is crucial for proper nail growth. When the nail grows correctly, the nail bed should be smooth. However, if the nail bed is unhealthy or disrupted, the nail may split or develop ridges, affecting the nail's appearance and function.
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How the nail moves upward
The growth of a nail occurs at its base, where specialised cells are produced. These cells are pushed forward as new cells form behind them. The nail matrix, also known as the germinal matrix, is responsible for most of a nail's growth. It lies beneath the skin, at the inner edge of the nail plate, where new cells grow and advance forward to form the nail. The nail root, which appears as a white crescent called the lunula, produces most of the volume of the nail and the nail bed. As the root grows, the nail moves down along the nail bed, adding material to the underside of the nail to make it thicker.
The nail matrix has two parts: the germinal matrix and the sterile matrix. The germinal matrix is responsible for about 90% of nail growth, while the remaining 10% comes from the sterile matrix, which is also important for keeping the nail attached to the underlying skin. The nail matrix constantly produces 196 layers of cells that combine to form the nail plate, or the actual fingernail.
The nail plate is attached to the nail bed, which supplies the plate with necessary nutrients. The nail bed contains blood vessels, nerves, and melanocytes that produce melanin. The pinkish appearance of the nail is due to the blood vessels underneath it. The underside of the nail plate has grooves that help anchor it to the nail bed, and the free edge is the part of the nail plate that extends from the finger.
As the nail grows, it moves upward from the nail matrix, with new cells constantly being produced and pushed forward. The nail plate is formed as the cells harden when moving outward from the nail root to the edge of the nail plate. This process continues until the cells reach the outer edge of the nail, where they are eventually removed.
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The role of the cuticle
The cuticle is a layer of clear or transparent skin located along the bottom edge of the finger or toe, also known as the nail bed. The eponychium tissue produces the cuticle, which is found between the skin of the finger and the nail plate. It fuses these structures together, providing a waterproof barrier.
The cuticle is formed of sticky dead skin cells that are shed by the living skin of the proximal nail fold. These skin cells are bound together by a sticky substance, which attaches them to the emerging nail plate and the frame of the keratinised epidermis. This thin layer of dead skin forms an important seal that protects the matrix—the area where new cells grow and advance forward to form the nail.
The cuticle protects new nails from bacteria when they grow out from the nail root. It is delicate and can get dry, damaged, and infected, so it is important to keep the entire nail area clean and healthy. Cuticles can be softened with warm water or cuticle oil, and excess skin can be carefully trimmed. However, cutting the cuticle entirely is not recommended as it can lead to infection.
In summary, the cuticle is a protective layer that guards the nail and its surrounding skin from bacteria and infection. Its sticky structure fuses the skin and nail plate together, creating a waterproof barrier that is essential for nail health.
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The lunula
Lunular anomalies include changes in form, structure, and colour. Lunular dysmorphologic features can be characterized by macrolunula, microlunula, anolunula, and nonconvex lunula. Lunular dyschromias can be confluent or spotted, or they can be characterized by longitudinal coloured bands that traverse the lunula. Alterations in the morphologic features or colour of the lunula can be an indication of either a cutaneous or a systemic disorder.
The colour of the lunula comes from what is deposited by the living tissue in the nail matrix. If there are any toxins in the body, they can be deposited into the nail matrix and affect its appearance. Lunulae colours are occasionally associated with certain conditions, such as anemia or malnutrition. However, Dr. Daw cautions against worrying about these subtle changes unless there are other symptoms that lend themselves to these conditions.
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The three phases of nail growth
The human nail consists of several parts: the nail plate, the underlying structure that supports nail growth, and the skin tissue that surrounds it. The growth of a nail occurs at its base, where new cells are produced and pushed forward as new cells form behind them. The growth of nails can be divided into three phases: the anagen, catagen, and telogen phases.
The anagen phase, also known as the growth phase, involves the active production of new cells in the matrix. The matrix, or the growth centre, plays the most important role in nail growth as it produces new cells that move outward and keratinize to form the nail plate. The nail plate is made of translucent keratin, a protein found in hair and skin that protects against infection. The pinkish appearance of the nail comes from the blood vessels underneath it.
The catagen phase is the transition phase, during which cell production slows down briefly. This phase is followed by the telogen phase, or the resting phase, which is very short and barely noticeable in nails. Unlike hair, nails do not experience a complete growth stop; instead, they grow slowly and steadily.
The average nail growth rate for fingernails is around 2 to 4 mm per month, or about a tenth of a millimetre per day. However, this rate can vary depending on various factors such as age, finger, overall health, and hormone levels. For example, the nails on the dominant hand and longer fingers tend to grow faster. Additionally, nail growth is faster during the day and in the summer.
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Frequently asked questions
Nails are made of keratin, a protein also found in hair and skin.
Nails grow from a deep groove in the dermis of the skin. All nail growth occurs at the nail's base, where specialized cells are produced and pushed forward as new cells form behind them.
The nail bed is also referred to as the sterile matrix. It extends from the edge of the nail root to the tissue known as the hyponychium. The nail bed contains blood vessels, nerves, and melanocytes that produce melanin.
Nails grow when new cells are formed at the nail matrix, which push older cells forward. This process occurs in three phases: the anagen phase, the catagen phase, and the telogen phase.
