Sophia Delgado
The actively growing part of the nail is called the nail matrix, also known as the matrix unguis, keratogenous membrane, or onychostroma. It is the part of the nail bed that lies beneath the nail and contains nerves, lymph, and blood vessels. The matrix produces cells that become the nail plate, which is the actual fingernail made of translucent keratin. 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 divided into 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 cells and is important for keeping the nail attached to the underlying skin.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Nail matrix, germinal matrix, or onychostroma |
| Location | Underneath the skin, at the inner edge of the nail plate |
| Composition | Nerves, lymph, and blood vessels |
| Function | Generates cells that become the nail plate |
| Growth | The nail matrix is responsible for most of the nail's growth |
| Damage | Minor damage can temporarily change the nail's appearance |
| Healing | The nail will usually start to grow again once the nail matrix heals |
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What You'll Learn
The nail matrix is the active tissue that generates cells
The nail matrix, also known as the germinal matrix, is the actively growing tissue that generates cells. It is the part of the nail bed that lies beneath the nail and contains nerves, lymph, and blood vessels. The nail matrix produces cells that become the nail plate, which is the hard, visible part of the nail. 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 has two parts: the germinal matrix and the sterile matrix. The germinal matrix is responsible for about 90% of nail growth, while the sterile matrix accounts for the remaining 10% and is crucial for keeping the nail attached to the underlying skin. The nail root, located at the base of the nail underneath the skin, is related to the matrix and produces most of the nail's volume.
The nail matrix is typically not visible, except for a small part called the lunula. The lunula is the white crescent shape at the base of the nail and is the only part of the matrix that can be seen. However, it is important to note that not everyone has visible lunulas, which is completely normal.
The nail matrix plays a vital role in nail growth and health. When the matrix is damaged, it can interfere with nail growth, and in severe cases, the nail may not grow back. Minor injuries to the matrix can also cause temporary changes in the appearance and texture of the nail. Proper nutrition and nail care are essential for maintaining a healthy nail matrix and promoting nail growth.
The nail matrix is an active tissue that generates new cells, which then harden as they move outward from the nail root to the nail plate. This process of cell division and forward movement occurs during the anagen phase of nail growth, which is the active growth phase lasting around two to three months. The nail matrix will continue to produce cells as long as it remains healthy and receives adequate nutrition.
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The germinal matrix is responsible for 80-90% of nail growth
The actively growing part of the nail is the nail matrix, which is also known as the germinal matrix. This is the part of the nail that generates new cells, which then harden as they move outward from the nail root to the nail plate. The nail matrix is located under the base of the nail, beneath the skin, and contains nerves, lymph, and blood vessels. It is responsible for producing the cells that become the nail plate, with the width and thickness of the nail plate determined by the size, length, and thickness of the matrix.
The nail matrix has two parts: the germinal matrix and the sterile matrix. The germinal matrix is responsible for 80-90% of nail growth, with the remaining 10-20% coming from the sterile matrix or nail bed. The germinal matrix is the actively growing part of the nail, generating new cells that form the nail plate. This is the active growth phase, during which the cells at the base of the nail divide rapidly and push older cells forward. This phase generally lasts for around two to three months.
The nail bed, or sterile matrix, plays an important role in keeping the nail attached to the underlying skin. It extends from the edge of the nail root or lunula to the tissue known as the hyponychium. The lunula is the white crescent shape at the base of the nail, which is the only visible part of the nail matrix. It is also known as the "small moon" in Latin due to its shape. While the nail matrix is responsible for the majority of nail growth, the nail bed contributes to the thickness of the nail and provides the necessary nutrients for growth.
Injuries and certain health conditions can damage the nail matrix and interfere with nail growth. Minor damage to the nail matrix can cause temporary changes in the appearance of the nail, such as bruising, ridges, or discolouration. In severe cases of nail matrix damage, some or all of the nail may not grow back. It is rare for the nail matrix to be permanently damaged, but if it occurs, the nail may not regrow.
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The nail root is the base of the nail underneath the skin
The nail root is the base of the nail that lies underneath the skin. It is also known as the nail sinus or sinus unguis. The nail root is the actively growing part of the nail, producing most of the nail's volume. It extends several millimetres into the finger.
The nail root is related to the germinal matrix or nail matrix, which lies beneath the skin at the inner edge of the nail plate. The nail matrix is the active tissue that generates and hardens cells, which then advance forward to form 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 nail growth and keeps the nail attached to the underlying skin. The nail matrix is the only living part of a nail.
The nail root and the nail matrix are responsible for most of the nail's growth. The nail matrix produces new cells that grow and advance forward to form the nail. As new cells are made, they push older cells forward, causing them to become compressed, flat, and translucent. 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 rarely permanently damaged, but injuries and certain health conditions can interfere with nail growth. Minor damage to the nail matrix can temporarily change the nail's appearance, while severe damage can cause the nail to fall off. In cases of severe nail matrix damage, some or all of the nail may not grow back.
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The lunula is the white crescent shape at the base of the nail
The lunula is the whitish, crescent-moon-shaped part of the nail. It is also referred to as the "half-moon" and is the only visible part of the nail matrix. The lunula is the area where new cells are formed, and it is not attached to the underlying nail bed.
The lunula is located at the base of the nail, and while it is usually visible as a white crescent shape, some people do not have a lunula that can be seen, which is also normal. The lunula is part of the nail's overall structure, which also includes the cuticle (the thin layer of skin at the base of the nail), the lateral nail fold (the skin on either side of the nail), the nail plate (the nail itself), and the nail bed (the area under the nail plate).
The nail matrix is the active tissue that generates cells. It is also known as the germinal matrix, and it is responsible for about 90% of nail growth. The nail matrix is located beneath the skin, at the inner edge of the nail plate, and it is where new cells grow and then move outward and forward to form the nail. As the cells move outward, they harden to become the nail plate. The nail matrix will continue to produce cells as long as it remains healthy and receives proper nutrition.
The nail root, or sinus unguis, is located at the base of the nail underneath the skin. It is where the actively growing tissue, the matrix, is found. The nail root produces most of the volume of the nail and the nail bed. The nail bed, or sterile matrix, extends from the edge of the nail root to the tissue known as the hyponychium. The hyponychium is the epithelium located between the free edge of the nail plate and the skin of the fingertip. It provides a waterproof barrier and protects the fingertip and surrounding soft tissues from injuries.
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The nail bed is the area under the nail plate
The nail bed is an important part of nail growth. While about 80% of the fingernail arises from the nail root, which determines its length, the other 20% comes from the nail bed, which determines its thickness. The nail matrix, where new cells are generated, lies beneath the skin at the inner edge of the nail plate. As new cells are made, they push older nail plate cells forward, and older cells become compressed, flat, and translucent. The nail matrix is divided into two parts: the germinal matrix, which is responsible for about 90% of nail growth, and the sterile matrix, which is responsible for keeping the nail attached to the underlying skin.
The nail bed is susceptible to certain health conditions. For example, melanoma cancer can occur due to the growth of melanocytes in the nail bed. Additionally, peripheral artery disease (PAD) can cause reduced blood flow to the legs and feet, affecting nail health. Changes in the appearance of the nail, such as horizontal ridges (Beau's lines), can be indicators of serious health issues. These changes may be caused by illnesses like heart attacks, COVID-19, pneumonia, or chemotherapy and other medications.
While nail growth occurs primarily at the nail's base, the nail bed plays a crucial role in supporting this growth and providing nutrients to the nail plate. The nail bed also contributes to the thickness of the nail and ensures its attachment to the underlying skin. Any damage to the nail bed or matrix can interfere with nail growth and change the nail's appearance. However, it is rare for the nail matrix to be permanently damaged, and nail growth will usually resume once the matrix heals.
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Frequently asked questions
The actively growing part of the nail is the nail matrix, also known as the germinal matrix. It is the part of the nail bed that lies beneath the skin at the inner edge of the nail plate.
The nail matrix is the active tissue that generates and pushes forward the cells that become the nail plate.
The nail plate, also known as the corpus unguis or the nail body, is the visible hard nail area from the nail root to the free edge. It is made of translucent keratin protein.
The nail functions to protect the terminal portions of the toes and fingers. It also acts as a tool, enabling an "extended precision grip".
Yes, in most cases, the nail will start to grow again once the nail matrix heals. However, in cases of severe nail matrix damage, some or all of the nail may not grow back.
