Isla Bennett
Human fingernails are protective plates that grow on the back of each finger, serving a number of functions. They are made of a tough, rigid protein called alpha-keratin, which is also found in hair and skin. The average growth rate of fingernails is approximately 3.5mm per month, with toenails growing at about half that rate. Fingernails are useful for removing pests from the skin and hair, and they also aid in gripping and scratching. They protect the fingertip and surrounding soft tissues from injuries and help to enhance precise delicate movements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What are nails made of? | A protein called alpha-keratin |
| What do nails protect against? | Infections |
| What is the purpose of nails? | To protect fingertips and enhance precise delicate movements of the distal digits |
| What is the nail plate made of? | Translucent keratin |
| What is the rate of growth of fingernails? | 3.5mm per month |
| What is the rate of growth of toenails? | 1.6mm per month |
| What is the purpose of the cuticle? | To provide a waterproof barrier |
| What is the purpose of the paronychium? | To protect against conditions like hangnails, ingrown nails, and paronychia |
| What is the purpose of the hyponychium? | To provide a waterproof barrier |
| What is the purpose of the lunula? | Not specified, but it is the pale half-circle above the cuticle |
| What are some nail-related health conditions? | Ingrown nail, nail injury, nail deformity, and hangnail |
| What are some signs of nail infection? | Pain, redness, swelling, and pus |
| What are some factors that affect nail growth? | Age, sex, season, exercise level, diet, hereditary factors, and stress |
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What You'll Learn
Fingernails are made of a protein called alpha-keratin
Fingernails are an essential part of our fingers and toes, and they serve multiple purposes. They aid in gripping, scratching, grooming, and even self-defence. But what are they made of?
The nail consists of the nail plate, the nail matrix, and the nail bed below it, with grooves surrounding it. The nail matrix, or germinal matrix, is the active tissue that generates and hardens cells. These cells are then pushed outward from the nail root to the nail plate, which is the actual fingernail that we see and trim. The nail plate is attached to the underlying nail bed, which supplies it with necessary nutrients and gives nails their pinkish hue due to the blood vessels underneath.
The nail root, which is the growing part of the nail, lies beneath the skin and extends several millimetres into the finger. It produces most of the nail's volume and determines its length. The nail bed, on the other hand, determines the thickness of the nail plate. The nail grows from a deep groove in the dermis of the skin, and all nail growth occurs at the nail's base, where new cells are produced and pushed forward as older cells are moved towards the tip.
Fingernails grow at an average rate of approximately 3.5 mm per month, while toenails grow about half as fast. The growth rate depends on various factors, including age, sex, season, exercise level, diet, and genetics.
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They grow at an average rate of 3.5mm per month
Fingernails are a protective plate found at the tip of the fingers and toes of all primates, corresponding to the claws in other tetrapod animals. They are made of a tough, rigid protein called alpha-keratin, which is also found in the claws, hooves, and horns of vertebrates. The average human fingernail grows at a rate of approximately 3.5mm per month, while toenails grow at about half that rate, at 1.6mm per month. It takes about three to six months for fingernails to regrow completely, and twelve to eighteen months for toenails. The actual growth rate is dependent on various factors, including age, sex, season, exercise level, diet, and hereditary factors. For example, nails grow faster in the summer than in winter, and stress can cause nails to grow more slowly or even stop growing temporarily.
The nail consists of the nail plate, the nail matrix, and the nail bed below it, with grooves surrounding it. The nail plate is the actual fingernail, made of translucent keratin, and it is attached to the underlying nail bed, which supplies the plate with necessary nutrients. The nail matrix is the active tissue that generates cells, and it is also known as the matrix unguis, keratogenous membrane, or onychostroma. The cells harden as they move outward from the nail root to the nail plate, and the nail root appears as a visible white crescent, known as the lunula.
The growing part of the nail is under the skin at the nail's proximal end under the epidermis, which is the only living part of the nail. The nail grows from a deep groove in the dermis of the skin, and 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 contains tiny blood vessels called capillaries, and the blood flowing through them helps the nails grow and gives them their pinkish colour. The nail also functions as a tool, enabling an "extended precision grip" and certain cutting or scraping actions.
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They protect the fingertip and surrounding soft tissue from injuries
Fingernails are a protective plate found at the tip of the fingers and toes of all primates, corresponding to the claws in other tetrapod animals. They are made of a tough, rigid protein called alpha-keratin, which is 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, with the nail matrix being the active tissue that generates and hardens cells. The nail plate is attached to the underlying nail bed, which supplies the plate with necessary nutrients and gives nails their pinkish appearance.
Fingernails serve a number of functions, including helping people grip items, scratching or grooming, and self-defense. They also play a role in protecting the fingertip and surrounding soft tissue from injuries. This protective function is enhanced by the hardness and resilience provided by keratin, which makes nails strong and resistant to damage.
The presence of nails boosts our ability to handle objects and feel pressure. They increase the sensitivity of our fingertips, allowing us to detect pressure changes and judge how to hold things. This sensitivity is further enhanced when the end of the finger touches an object, as the nail acts as a counter-force, providing counter-pressure on the pulp of the finger.
In addition to their protective role, nails also serve as a tool, enabling what is known as an "extended precision grip." For example, they can assist in pulling out a splinter or performing certain cutting or scraping actions. This extended precision grip is similar to the function provided by animal claws, which help them dig or claw at things.
The health of our fingernails can provide important clues about our overall health, lifestyle, and even recreational habits. For example, horizontal lines across the nails, known as "Beau's lines," can indicate aging or underlying disease. Fingernails can also be a site for various health conditions, and certain treatments, such as chemotherapy, can impact nail health.
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They help with precise delicate movements and gripping
Fingernails are made of a tough, rigid protein called alpha-keratin, which is also found in the claws, hooves, and horns of vertebrates. They are protective plates that grow on the back of each finger and toe, corresponding to the claws of other animals. The nail plate, which is the part of the nail that we see and trim, is made of translucent keratin and has grooves that help anchor it to the nail bed. The nail bed is the underlying, richly vascularized part of the nail that supplies the plate with necessary nutrients and gives nails their pinkish colour. The nail matrix is the active tissue that generates nail cells, which harden as they move outward from the nail root to the nail plate.
Fingernails serve a number of functions, including protection, precision, and grip. They 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. This counter-force increases the sensitivity of the fingertip and helps with tasks like pulling out a splinter.
The presence of fingernails boosts our ability to handle objects and feel pressure. They help us judge how to hold things by detecting pressure changes. For example, when we peel an orange, we use our fingernails. They also enable certain cutting or scraping actions, such as when we use our fingernails to remove lice, ticks, or other pests from our skin and hair.
Fingernails also serve as tools for grooming, scratching, and even self-defence. For instance, DNA collected from fingernails during a fight can be used as evidence in the criminal justice system. In a survival situation, we could also use our fingernails to dig or claw at the earth.
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They can provide clues about a person's health status
Fingernails are made of a tough, rigid protein called alpha-keratin, which is also found in the claws, hooves, and horns of vertebrates. They serve a number of functions, including protecting the fingertips and surrounding soft tissues from injuries, enhancing precise delicate movements, and acting as a tool for "extended precision grip".
Nails can provide important clues about a person's health status and have been used as a diagnostic tool since ancient times. Here are some ways that fingernails can indicate health issues:
Colour Changes
Changes in nail colour can be indicative of various health issues. For example:
- White nails, or leukonychia, can be a result of nail trauma, such as stubbing your toe or dropping something on your foot. However, they could also indicate heavy metal poisoning, psoriasis, or kidney, liver, or heart disease.
- Pale nails can indicate anaemia, congestive heart failure, liver disease, or poor nutrition.
- Bluish nails suggest the body is not getting enough oxygen, which could be a sign of heart disease, emphysema, or lung problems.
- Yellow nails are commonly caused by a fungal infection, which can cause the nails to thicken, crumble, or detach from the nail bed.
Ridges and Texture
Changes in the texture of nails can also be indicative of health issues:
- Horizontal ridges, known as Beau's lines, indicate a pause in nail growth and can be caused by high fever, vitamin deficiency, injury, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, or chemotherapy.
- Vertical ridges are usually age-related and harmless.
- Rippled or pitted nails can be an early sign of psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis.
- Dry, brittle nails that frequently crack or split have been linked to thyroid disease.
Shape
Alterations in the shape of the nail can also provide clues about health status:
- Healthy nails are slightly curved outwards and should not contain any dips or craters. Nails that curve inwards, known as koilonychia or spoon nails, can be a sign of anaemia, iron deficiency, or coeliac disease.
- Clubbed nails, which are shaped like upside-down spoons, can indicate lung cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular disease, or liver disease.
It is important to note that while nails can provide clues about potential health issues, many nail abnormalities are harmless and not indicative of any underlying condition. If you are concerned about the appearance of your nails, it is always best to consult a doctor or dermatologist.
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Frequently asked questions
Finger nails are made of a tough, rigid protein called alpha-keratin, which is also found in hair and skin. The keratin forms cells that harden as they move outward from the nail root to the nail plate.
Finger nails have several purposes. They protect the distal phalanx, the fingertip, and the surrounding soft tissues from injuries. They also help with precise delicate movements of the fingers through counter-pressure exerted on the pulp of the finger.
Finger nails grow at an average rate of approximately 3.5mm a month, with toenails growing about half as fast at 1.6mm a month. The actual growth rate depends on various factors, including age, sex, season, exercise level, diet, and hereditary factors.
