Caleb Foster
The actively growing part of the nail is known as the nail matrix, which is a groove in the dermis of the skin at the base of the nail. The nail matrix is made up of two parts: the germinal matrix, which is responsible for about 90% of nail growth, and the sterile matrix, which is responsible for the remaining 10% of growth and is important for keeping the nail attached to the underlying skin. The nail matrix produces new cells that harden as they move outward from the nail root to the nail plate, and these cells are pushed forward as new cells form behind them. The lunula, the white crescent shape at the base of the nail, is the only visible part of the nail matrix.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Nail matrix, germinal matrix, or onychostroma |
| Location | Under the skin at the nail's proximal end under the epidermis |
| Appearance | White crescent shape at the base of the nail |
| Function | Generates cells that become the nail plate |
| Composition | Nerves, lymph, and blood vessels |
| Growth | Occurs in the anagen, catagen, and telogen phases |
| Damage | Minor damage can temporarily change the nail's appearance; severe damage can cause the nail to fall off |
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What You'll Learn
The nail matrix is the actively growing part of the nail
The nail matrix produces new cells that become the nail plate, commonly known as the nail body. The nail plate is the visible hard nail area from the nail root to the free edge. The width and thickness of the nail plate are determined by the size, length, and thickness of the matrix. The matrix will continue to produce cells as long as it receives nutrition and remains healthy. As new nail plate cells are made, they push older nail plate cells forward, causing them to harden and turn translucent.
The nail matrix is located under the base of the nail, and the sterile matrix lies underneath the nail. The lunula, the white crescent shape at the base of the nail, is the only visible part of the nail matrix. However, some people do not have visible lunulas, which is normal. The nail matrix and lunula are part of the overall nail structure, which also includes the cuticle, lateral nail fold, nail plate, and nail bed.
Injuries and certain health conditions can damage the nail matrix and interfere with nail growth. A severe injury can cause the nail to fall off, and in cases of severe nail matrix damage, the nail may not grow back. Illnesses such as a heart attack, COVID-19, or pneumonia can interrupt nail growth and cause Beau's lines (horizontal ridges in the nails). Chemotherapy and other medications can also temporarily affect the nail matrix, causing Beau's lines or slow nail growth.
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The germinal matrix is responsible for most nail growth
The nail matrix is the actively growing part of the nail. It lies beneath the skin, at the inner edge of the nail plate, and is responsible for most of a nail's growth. The nail matrix has two parts: the germinal matrix and the sterile matrix. The germinal matrix is the active tissue that generates cells, and it is responsible for about 90% of nail growth. The nail matrix creates new cells that become your fingernails or toenails. These cells are pushed forward as new cells form behind them.
The germinal matrix is located under the base of the nail, and the sterile matrix lies underneath the nail. You can’t see most of your nail matrix. The lunula, the white crescent shape at the base of your nail, is the only visible part of your nail matrix. However, some people don’t have visible lunulas, and that’s normal, too.
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 whether the nail plate is flat, arched, or hooked.
The nail matrix is essential for nail growth and health. Injuries and certain health conditions can damage the nail matrix and interfere with nail growth. For example, a severe injury could cause your nail to fall off. Once your nail matrix heals, your nail will usually start to grow again. In cases of severe nail matrix damage, some or all of the nail may not grow back. Illnesses, such as a heart attack or COVID-19, can also interrupt new nail growth and cause Beau’s lines (horizontal ridges in your nails).
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The sterile matrix keeps the nail attached to the skin
The nail is a platelike, keratinous, translucent structure that grows from a deep groove in the dermis of the skin. All nail growth occurs at the nail's base, where the cells that make up the nail plate are produced. The nail plate is attached to the underlying nail bed, which supplies the plate with necessary nutrients. The cells at the front edge of the nail plate die and turn white as they lose contact with the nail bed.
The nail matrix is the active tissue that generates cells. It 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. The sterile matrix is critical in keeping the nail attached to the underlying skin.
The lunula, the white crescent shape at the base of the nail, is the only visible part of the nail matrix. It is also known as the matrix unguis, keratogenous membrane, or onychostroma. The matrix produces cells that become the nail plate. As new nail plate cells are formed, they push older cells forward, causing them to become compressed, flat, and translucent.
Injuries and certain health conditions can damage the nail matrix and interfere with nail growth. For example, a severe injury could cause the nail to fall off. Illnesses such as a heart attack, COVID-19, or pneumonia can also interrupt nail growth and cause horizontal ridges known as Beau's lines. Chemotherapy and other medications may also cause Beau's lines or slow nail growth.
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The nail root determines nail length
The nail root, or nail matrix, is the actively growing part of the nail. It is the underlying structure that supports nail growth. The nail root lies below the skin, underneath the nail, and extends several millimetres into the finger. It produces most of the volume of the nail and the nail bed.
The nail matrix has two parts: the germinal matrix and the sterile matrix. The germinal matrix is the actively growing tissue that generates new cells, which then harden as they move outward from the nail root to the nail plate. The nail plate is the visible hard nail area from the nail root to the free edge. The germinal matrix is responsible for about 90% of nail growth, while the sterile matrix makes up the remaining 10% of cells and is more important for keeping the nail attached to the underlying skin.
The nail matrix is located beneath the skin, at the inner edge of the nail plate. It is the only living part of the nail and is responsible for most of the nail's growth. The nail matrix creates new cells that become the nail plate. These cells are pushed forward as new cells form behind them. Without the nail matrix, no nail plate growth is possible.
The nail root is an important structure that supports nail growth and determines nail length. The nail matrix, with its two parts, plays a crucial role in generating new cells and producing most of the volume of the nail and nail bed.
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The nail bed determines nail thickness
The nail is a platelike, keratinous structure that grows from a deep groove in the dermis of the skin. The actively growing part of the nail is the nail matrix, which generates new cells that become the nail plate. The nail plate is strongly attached to the nail bed, which supplies the plate with necessary nutrients.
The nail bed is the area under the nail plate. It extends from the edge of the nail root, or lunula, to the tissue known as the hyponychium. The nail bed contains blood vessels, nerves, and melanocytes that produce melanin. The nail bed is also referred to as the sterile matrix, which is responsible for about 10% of the cells that make up the nail.
The width and thickness of the nail plate are determined by the size, length, and thickness of the matrix. The nail root, which lies beneath the skin underneath the nail, produces most of the volume of the nail bed. The germinal matrix (the nail matrix) and the nail root are related. The matrix lies beneath the skin, at the inner edge of the nail plate, and is responsible for most of the nail's growth.
About 80% of the nail arises from the nail root, which determines its length, while the other 20% comes from the nail bed, which determines its thickness. The nail bed is richly vascularized, providing the nail plate with essential nutrients. As new nail plate cells are formed, they push older cells forward, causing them to become compressed, flat, and translucent.
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Frequently asked questions
The actively growing part of the nail is called the nail matrix or germinal matrix. It generates cells that harden as they move outward from the nail root to the nail plate.
The nail matrix is not visible, except for the lunula, the white crescent shape at the base of the nail.
The nail matrix contains nerves, lymph, and blood vessels.
Minor damage to the nail matrix can cause temporary changes to the appearance of the nail. In the case of severe damage, the nail may fall off and may not grow back.
