Nail Structure and Growth

Also known as lateral nail fold; the fold of skin overlapping the side of the nail.

• nail grooves

• nail folds

• sidewall

• natural nail unit

Also known as onyx; the hard protective plate is composed mainly of keratin, the same fibrous protein found in skin and hair. The keratin in natural nails is harder than the keratin in skin or hair.

• matrix

• nail bed

• nail plate

• natural nail

Hardened keratin plate that sits on and covers the natural nail bed. It is the most visible and functional part of the natural nail unit.

• nail plate

• nail cuticle

• ligament

• natural nail unit

Slits or furrows on the sides of the sidewall.

• sidewall

• nail grooves

• nail folds

• ligament

Folds of normal skin that surround the natural nail plate.

• nail grooves

• lunula

• nail folds

• nail plate

Dead, colorless tissue attached to the natural nail plate.

• hyponychium

• eponychium

• nail cuticle

• nail plate

Portion of the living skin that supports the nail plate as it grows toward the free edge.

• nail bed

• nail folds

• nail plate

• ligament

Area where the nail plate cells are formed; this area is composed of matrix cells that produce the nail plate.

• nail cuticle

• bed epithelium

• lunula

• matrix

Thin layer of tissue that attaches the nail plate and the nail bed.

• eponychium

• bed epithelium

• hyponychium

• lunula

Living skin at the base of the natural nail plate that covers the matrix area.

• eponychium

• hyponychium

• bed epithelium

• ligament