Ava Monroe
The human nail is a platelike, keratinous, translucent structure that consists of highly specialized epithelial cells. The nail grows from a deep groove in the dermis of the skin. All nail growth occurs at the nail's base, where the specialized cells that make up the nail plate are produced. 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 a nail. The nail matrix constantly produces new keratin that gathers at the nail plate and slowly pushes the nail forward, causing it to grow. Fingernails grow at a rate of about 3-3.5 millimeters per month, while toenails grow about half as fast.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Where nails grow from | Nails grow from a deep groove in the dermis of the skin. |
| Nail growth rate | Fingernails grow at an average rate of 3-3.5 mm per month, while toenails grow at an average rate of 1.6 mm per month. |
| Factors affecting nail growth rate | Age, sex, season, exercise level, diet, and hereditary factors. |
| Nail structure | The nail structure is divided into three main parts: the nail itself, the underlying structure that supports nail growth, and the skin tissue that surrounds it. |
| Nail matrix | The nail matrix is the part of the nail that creates new cells that become fingernails or toenails. It is located under the base of the nail. |
| Nail bed | The nail bed is the area under the nail plate that contains blood vessels, nerves, and melanocytes that produce melanin. |
| Nail plate | The nail plate, also known as the nail body, is the visible hard nail area made of translucent keratin protein. |
| Cuticle | The cuticle is a thin layer of skin that grows over the nail, providing a waterproof barrier. |
| Lunula | The lunula is the whitish, crescent-moon-shaped part of the nail, located at the base of the nail. |
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What You'll Learn
Nails grow from a deep groove in the dermis of the skin
The human nail is a platelike, keratinous, translucent structure that consists of highly specialized epithelial cells. The nail grows from a deep groove in the dermis of the skin. The dermis, a layer of skin under the nails, has sensory nerve endings. These nerve endings send a signal to the brain when pressure is applied to the nails.
All nail growth occurs at the nail's base, where the specialized cells that make up the nail plate are produced. These cells are pushed forward as new cells form behind them. The nail plate is attached to the underlying, richly vascularized 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 bed contains blood vessels, nerves, and melanocytes that produce melanin. As the root grows, the nail streams down along the nail bed and adds material to the underside of the nail to make it thicker. When the nail grows properly, the nail bed is smooth. However, if the nail does not grow correctly, the nail may split or develop ridges.
The nail matrix is the "factory" where the body makes new fingernails and toenails. 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 the white crescent shape at the base of the nail, is the only visible part of the nail matrix. The nail sinus, or sinus unguis, is where the nail root is located. This is the base of the nail underneath the skin.
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.
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The nail matrix is the factory where new nails are made
The nail matrix is the "factory" where new nails are made. It is the part of the nail that is responsible for nail growth, producing new cells that become fingernails or toenails. The matrix is located under the base of the nail, and it is not visible except for a small part called the lunula, which is the white crescent shape at the bottom of the nail. The lunula is not always visible, but its presence is normal.
The matrix constantly produces new keratin, a type of protein found in nails, hair, and skin that helps protect against infection. This keratin gathers at the nail plate and slowly pushes the nail forward, causing it to grow. The nail plate, also known as the nail body, is the visible hard nail area from the nail root to the free edge. It is made of translucent keratin protein, giving it a pinkish appearance due to the blood vessels underneath.
The nail matrix is an important structure for nail health. Injuries or illnesses can damage the nail matrix, affecting the appearance and growth of nails. For example, a severe injury could cause the nail to fall off. However, with proper treatment and medical care, healthy nail growth can often resume, as it is rare for the nail matrix to be permanently damaged.
The nail matrix consists of two parts: the germinal matrix and the sterile matrix. The germinal matrix contributes about 90% of nail growth, while the sterile matrix is responsible for the remaining 10% of cells and plays a crucial role in keeping the nail attached to the underlying skin. The nail bed, located under the nail plate, is richly vascularized and supplies the plate with necessary nutrients.
Overall, the nail matrix is the factory where new nails are produced through the constant generation of keratin and the forward push of new cells. This process of nail growth is essential for maintaining healthy nails and protecting against infection.
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The lunula is the only visible part of the nail matrix
The nail matrix is where the fingernails and toenails form. It is made up of two parts: the germinal matrix and the sterile matrix. The germinal matrix is under the base of the nail, while the sterile matrix lies underneath the nail. The nail matrix creates new cells that become the nails. About 90% of nail growth comes from the germinal matrix, while the sterile matrix is responsible for keeping the nail attached to the underlying skin.
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 and is strongly attached to the nail bed. The nail bed is the richly vascularized area under the nail plate that supplies the plate with necessary nutrients. The nail plate does not contain any nerves or blood vessels.
The lunula is a delicate part of the nail structure. If the lunula is damaged, the nail will be permanently deformed. Even when the entire nail is removed, the lunula remains in place and resembles a smaller fingernail embedded in the nail bed. The lunula is not actually white but appears so when viewed through the nail.
The lunula is not always visible, and some people do not have visible lunulas, which is normal. The visibility of the lunula can vary between fingers, with the lunula being most prominent on the thumbs. The lunula is an important area for nail health, as it is where living cells transform into non-living keratinized nail cells.
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The nail bed contains blood vessels, nerves, and melanocytes
The nail bed is the skin beneath the nail plate. It is the area of the nail on which the nail plate rests. The nail bed contains blood vessels, nerves, and melanocytes. The blood vessels underneath the nail plate give nails their pinkish appearance. The nail bed is richly vascularised and supplies the nail plate with essential nutrients.
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). The nail bed is highly innervated, and removing the nail plate can be excruciatingly painful. The nail bed is separated from the nail tip, allowing us to use our nails as tools, for example, for scratching.
The nail plate is strongly attached to the nail bed but does not contain any nerves or blood vessels. The nail bed provides a smooth surface for the growing nail plate to slide over. The nail root, or base of the nail, lies beneath 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.
Melanocytes in the nail bed produce melanin. Melanoma cancer can occur when melanocytes grow in the nail bed. A lack of vitamin B12 can lead to darkened nails, while a lack of vitamin A can cause fragile nails with horizontal and vertical ridges.
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The nail plate is the actual fingernail
The nail plate, also referred to as the nail body or corpus unguis, is the actual fingernail. It is the hard, visible part of the nail, made of translucent keratin protein. The nail plate is formed from the matrix of the nail unit, where skin cells are modified and keratinised to become the hard, flat cells of the nail plate. The matrix constantly produces new keratin that gathers at the nail plate and slowly pushes the nail forward, causing it to grow.
The nail plate is attached to the underlying nail bed, which supplies the plate with necessary nutrients. The nail bed is the skin beneath the nail plate, and it is highly innervated. The nail plate and nail bed separate at the tip of the finger or toe, allowing us to use our nails as tools, for example, for scratching. The nail plate is also framed by the lateral nail folds on its left and right sides.
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 lunula, or "small moon," is the whitish, crescent-shaped part of the nail that is visible at the base of the nail plate. It is the visible part of the matrix and can be best seen in the thumb.
The nail plate serves several important 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 by exerting counter-pressure on the pulp of the finger. Finally, the nail plate acts as a tool, enabling an "extended precision grip" for tasks such as pulling out a splinter.
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Frequently asked questions
Nails grow from a deep groove in the dermis of the skin. The nail plate or nail body is the visible hard nail area made of translucent keratin protein. The nail bed is the area under the nail plate.
The nail matrix is the "factory" where your body makes new nails. It constantly produces new keratin that gathers at the nail plate and slowly pushes the nail forward, causing it to grow.
The lunula is the white crescent shape at the base of your nail. It is the only visible part of your nail matrix.
