Isla Bennett
A fingernail is a protective plate found at the tip of the fingers and toes of primates. They are made of a tough, rigid protein called alpha-keratin, which is also found in the hair and skin of humans, as well as the claws, hooves and horns of other vertebrates. The part of the nail that is visible is called the nail plate, and the tissue underneath the nail plate is called the nail bed. The cuticle is the semi-circular layer of almost invisible dead skin cells that overlap and form a rim at the base of the nail plate. The rate of fingernail growth depends on various factors, including age, sex, and season, and they generally grow faster than toenails.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is it? | A protective plate found at the tip of the digits (fingers and toes) of primates. |
| Composition | A tough, rigid protein called alpha-keratin, a polymer also found in claws, hooves, and horns of vertebrates. |
| Parts | Nail plate, nail matrix, nail bed, and grooves. |
| Nail Matrix | The active tissue that generates cells. It is also known as the matrix unguis, keratogenous membrane, or onychostroma. |
| Nail Bed | The skin beneath the nail plate, containing nerves, blood vessels, and soft tissue. |
| Grooves | Surround the nail and are more visible as the nail plate thins with age. |
| Lunula | The whitish, crescent-shaped base of the nail, best seen on the thumb. |
| Hyponychium | The epithelium located beneath the nail plate, forming a seal that protects the nail bed. |
| Cuticle | A semi-circular layer of almost invisible dead skin cells that overlap the back of the nail plate. |
| Growth Rate | Fingernails: 3-3.5 mm per month; Toenails: 1.6 mm per month. |
| Regrowth Time | Fingernails: 3-6 months; Toenails: 12-18 months. |
| Factors Affecting Growth | Age, sex, season, exercise level, diet, and hereditary factors. |
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What You'll Learn
Fingernails are made of a tough, rigid protein called alpha-keratin
A nail is a protective plate found at the tip of the digits (fingers and toes) of all primates, corresponding to the claws in other tetrapod animals. Fingernails are made of a tough, rigid protein called alpha-keratin, a polymer also found in the claws, hooves, and horns of vertebrates. The nail consists of the nail plate, the nail matrix, and the nail bed below it, and the grooves surrounding it. The nail plate is the hard, visible part of the nail, made of translucent keratin protein. It is about half a millimeter thick and slightly curved. The nail matrix is the active tissue that generates cells. These cells harden as they move outward from the nail root to the nail plate, causing the nail to grow. The nail matrix is also known as the matrix unguis, keratogenous membrane, or onchyostroma. 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 word "nail" often refers only to the nail plate, which is made of keratin. Keratin is a protein that helps form hair, nails, and the epidermis, or outer layer, of the skin. It helps support the skin, heal wounds, and keep nails and hair healthy. There are 54 kinds of keratin in the human body, 28 of which are type I and 26 of which are type II. Alpha-keratin is a type I keratin found in the hair, epidermis, horns, and nails of mammals. It is mostly fibrous, and its structure looks like the thread of a screw (helical). The alpha-keratin in nails is formed of fibrillar keratins and globular keratin-associated proteins (KAPs). The nail plate contains 80-90% hard keratins and the remaining part is soft.
The growth rate of nails depends on various factors, including age, sex, season, exercise level, diet, and hereditary factors. In humans, fingernails grow at an average rate of approximately 3.5 mm per month, while toenails grow at about half that rate. Fingernails require three to six months to regrow completely, while toenails require twelve to eighteen months.
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The lunula is the crescent-shaped base of the nail
The lunula, from the Latin for "small moon", is the crescent-shaped base of the nail. It is the only visible part of the nail matrix, the tissue just beneath the nail that contains nerves, lymph, and blood vessels. The lunula appears white due to the reflection of light where the nail matrix and nail bed meet.
The lunula is most visible on the thumb and may not be visible on the little finger, or pinkie, where it may be hidden underneath the cuticle or skin at the base of the finger. The size of the lunula can vary across each nail, and some people may not have visible lunulas, which is normal.
The appearance of the lunula can sometimes be a sign of an underlying condition. For example, pale blue lunulae may be a sign of undiagnosed or uncontrolled diabetes, while blue-grey lunulae may indicate silver poisoning. Tetracycline medications, often used to treat acne and skin infections, can cause lunulae to turn yellow. However, discoloured or missing lunulae are usually not cause for concern.
The nail matrix is where the fingernails or toenails form and is made of special cells that produce new keratin. The nail plate, or the nail itself, is made of keratin, a hard and slightly curved substance about half a millimetre thick. The nail bed is the skin beneath the nail plate, and the nail is attached to it. The nail bed is highly innervated, and removal of the nail plate can be excruciatingly painful.
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The nail matrix is the active tissue that generates cells
A nail 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 is also found in the claws, hooves, and horns of vertebrates.
The nail matrix is the active tissue (or germinal matrix) that generates cells. It is a highly proliferative epidermal tissue containing layers of keratinized cells. The matrix constantly produces new keratin that gathers at the nail plate and slowly pushes the nail forward, causing it to grow. The cells harden as they move outward from the nail root to the nail plate, which is the visible hard nail area. The width and thickness of the nail plate are determined by the size, length, and thickness of the matrix, while the shape of the nail is determined by the underlying fingertip bone.
The lunula, which means "small moon", is the whitish, crescent-shaped base of the visible nail. It is the visible part of the matrix and can be seen through the nail plate at the base of the nail. The lunula appears white due to the reflection of light where the nail matrix and nail bed meet. The nail bed is the skin beneath the nail plate, to which it is firmly attached. The nail bed is highly innervated, and the removal of the nail plate can be extremely painful as a result.
The nail matrix is made of special cells that produce new fingernails or toenails. Each nail matrix produces 196 layers of cells that combine to form each nail. The matrix produces cells that become the nail plate, which covers the nail bed and is responsible for carrying nail bed cells toward the free margin during growth. The nail plate is made of a hard substance called keratin and is about half a millimeter thick and slightly curved.
The nail has several functions. Firstly, it protects the distal phalanx, the fingertip, and the surrounding soft tissues from injuries. Secondly, it enhances precise delicate movements of the distal digits through counter-pressure exerted on the pulp of the finger. Thirdly, the nail acts as a tool, allowing us to perform tasks such as scratching or pulling out a splinter. Finally, the nail is an important part of the sense of touch, enhancing the sensitivity of the fingertip.
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The nail bed is the skin beneath the nail plate
The nail bed is made of two types of tissues: the dermis and the epidermis. The epidermis is attached to the dermis by tiny longitudinal "grooves" called matrix crests (cristae matricis unguis). In old age, the nail plate becomes thinner, and these grooves become more visible. The nail bed is highly innervated, and removal of the nail plate is often excruciatingly painful as a result.
The nail plate is made of a hard substance called keratin. It is about half a millimeter thick and slightly curved. The matrix constantly produces new keratin that gathers at the nail plate and slowly pushes the nail forward, causing it to grow. The lunula, or "small moon", is the visible part of the matrix, the whitish crescent-shaped base of the visible nail. The lunula appears white due to a reflection of light at the point where the nail matrix and nail bed meet.
The hyponychium, or the "quick", is the epithelium located beneath the nail plate at the junction between the free edge and the skin of the fingertip. It forms a seal that protects the nail bed. The onychodermal band is the seal between the nail plate and the hyponychium. It is just under the free edge, in that portion of the nail where the nail bed ends. Together, the eponychium and the cuticle form a protective seal. The cuticle is a semi-circular layer of almost invisible dead skin cells that cover the back of the visible nail plate.
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The cuticle is a layer of clear skin that overlaps the base of the nail plate
The nail plate is the part of the nail that we can see. It is made of a tough, rigid protein called alpha-keratin, a polymer also found in the claws, hooves and horns of vertebrates. The nail plate is about half a millimetre thick and slightly curved.
The cuticle is a layer of clear skin that overlaps and forms a rim at the base of the nail plate. It is a semi-circular layer of almost invisible dead skin cells that "ride out on" and cover the back of the visible nail plate. The cuticle, along with the eponychium, forms a protective seal. The eponychium is the thickened skin at the base of the nail, also known as the cuticle.
The cuticle is part of the nail folds, which are the skin that supports and frames the nail on three sides. The nail folds can get swollen easily if irritated and are prone to infections (paronychia) caused by injury, bacteria or fungus.
The lunula is the white or whitish, crescent moon-shaped area at the base of the nail. It is the visible part of the matrix, the active tissue that generates cells. The lunula is best seen in the thumb and may not be visible in the little finger. The lunula appears white due to a reflection of light at the point where the nail matrix and nail bed meet.
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Frequently asked questions
A fingernail is a tough protective plate of hardened cells protruding from the ends of the fingers.
Fingernails are made of a tough rigid protein called alpha-keratin, a polymer also found in the claws, hooves, and horns of vertebrates.
Fingernails help protect the distal phalanx, the fingertip, and the surrounding soft tissues from injuries. They also enhance precise delicate movements of the distal digits through counter-pressure exerted on the pulp of the finger.
The rate of nail growth depends on factors such as age, sex, and season. On average, fingernails grow at a rate of about 3.5mm per month, with toenails growing at about half that speed.
This is called the lunula, which means "small moon" in Latin, due to its shape. It is the visible part of the matrix, where the nail matrix and nail bed meet.
