A fingernail consists of several parts including the nail plate (the visible part of the nail), the nail bed (the skin beneath the nail plate), the cuticle (the tissue that overlaps the plate and rims the base of the nail), the nail folds (the skin folds that frame and support the nail on three sides), the lunula (the …
What do nails do anatomy?
Nail Plate
Composed of hardened, flat, translucent, non-living, keratin nail cells that form a solid, protective layer over the underlying soft tissue. The nail plate should NOT be confused with the nail “bed”. … People with thin nails have a small matrix and will have less than 50 layers.
What are the different parts of nail and its function?
–The nail plate: The visible hard part of the nail. – Nail folds: The skin that frames each of your nail plates on three sides. -The nail bed: The skin beneath the nail plate. The cells at the base of your nail bed are the ones that actually produce the fingernail or toenail plate.
Can the nail plate grow back?
After a nail separates from the nail bed for whatever reason, it will not reattach. A new nail will have to grow back in its place. Nails grow back slowly. It takes about 6 months for a fingernail and up to 18 months for a toenail to grow back.
What is Mantle in nail?
The mantle is the skin covering the matrix and base of the nail plate. Cuticle. The cuticle (also known as the eponychium) grows from the proximal nail bed and adheres to the nail plate. Together, the proximal nail fold and cuticle form a protective seal against any irritants that may disrupt the matrix underneath.[1]
What is the lunula?
The lunula is the visible portion of the distal nail matrix that extends beyond the proximal nailfold. It is white, half-moon-shaped, appears by week 14 of gestation, has unique histologic features.
What is the function of the nail cuticle?
The cuticle is a layer of clear skin located along the bottom edge of your finger or toe. This area is known as the nail bed. The cuticle function is to protect new nails from bacteria when they grow out from the nail root.
How do nail beds grow?
When cells at the root of the nail grow, the new nail cells push out the old nail cells. These old cells flatten and harden, thanks to keratin, a protein made by these cells. … Your fingernails grow slowly — in fact, they grow about one tenth of an inch (2.5 millimeters) each month.
What is the main function of the nail matrix?
The nail matrix is the area where your fingernails and toenails start to grow. The matrix creates new skin cells, which pushes out the old, dead skin cells to make your nails. As a result, injuries to the nail bed or disorders that affect the matrix can affect your nail growth.
What are the 3 main parts of the nail?
A nail has three main parts: the root, plate, and free margin. Other structures around or under the nail include the nail bed, cuticle, and nail fold.
What are the 5 stages of nail growth?
- Cells divide in the Matrix. …
- New cells are pushed forward by constant cell reproduction.
- Cells undergo hardening, this is also known as Keratinisation.
- The growing nail is guided along the Nail Grooves and Side Walls.
- The Free Edge is formed away from the finger.
What is the most important part of the nail?
Nail root: The root of the nail is also known as the germinal matrix. Its edge appears as a white crescent, known as the lunula. The root portion of this nail lies below the skin, underneath the nail, and extends several millimeters into the finger. It produces most of the volume of the nail and the nail bed.
How do I know if my nail bed is damaged?
If you have a deep cut in your nail bed, you should see a doctor, especially if it doesn’t stop bleeding. Subungual hematomas that cover more than a quarter of your nail also need medical treatment. If your finger is very swollen or painful, or if you think it’s fractured, you should see your doctor for an evaluation.
Why do my nails come away from the nail bed?
Sometimes detached nails are associated with injury or infection. In other cases nail separation is a reaction to a particular drug or consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives. Thyroid disease and psoriasis — a condition characterized by scaly patches on the skin — also can cause nail separation.
What is the pink part of the nail?
The nail bed is the pinkish-colored soft tissue underneath your nail plate (the hard part of your nail).
What is Eponychium nail?
In human anatomy, the eponychium is the thickened layer of skin at the base of the fingernails and toenails. It can also be called the medial or proximal nail fold. … Its function is to protect the area between the nail and epidermis from exposure to bacteria.
What is the end of the nail called?
The nail is framed by the lateral nail folds on the left and right side of it. The skin bordering the lower end of the nail is called the proximal nail fold. A thin layer of skin, known as the cuticle, grows over the nail there.
Why is my lunula purple?
Lunulas are usually ivory in colour, meaning you’re healthy and strong. Reddish/Pink: This is an indication of either diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Purple: This could mean poor blood circulation to that area or the rest of your body. It could also be accompanied by dizziness and/or difficulty breathing.
Why has my cuticle disappeared?
The nails may also curve, and the cuticle, which is the small piece of skin at the beginning of the nail, may change shape or disappear. The most common cause is pleural effusion, which happens when fluid accumulates in the pleura, or the thin tissues that line the lungs and chest.
Why fingernails are white?
White nails are indicative of any or a combination of the conditions including anemia, overuse of nail polish, weak nails, kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and liver disease. Whole nail whitening is generally seen in cases of kidney problems, where there is protein deficiency in the body.
What happens if you don’t push your cuticles back?
Without cuticles, bacteria, dirt, and fungus could seep beneath your nail and cause an infection. So, you shouldn’t remove or cut your cuticles — although you might be tempted to if your cuticles overgrow. Cuticle overgrowth is mostly unsightly and doesn’t usually cause problems.
What is a nail bed avulsion?
Losing a toenail or fingernail because of an injury is called avulsion. The nail may be completely or partially torn off after a trauma to the area. Your doctor may have removed the nail, put part of it back into place, or repaired the nail bed.
Where is the nail bed located?
The nail bed is the skin beneath the nail plate. Like all skin, it is made of two types of tissues: the deeper dermis, the living tissue which includes capillaries and glands, and the epidermis, the layer just beneath the nail plate, which moves toward the finger tip with the plate.
What are the shapes of nails?
The main seven types of nail shapes you can opt for are: oval, almond, square, squoval, coffin (also known as ballerina), stiletto (or pointed nails) and that old friend, round.
How many layers do nails have?
The nail plate itself is comprised of flattened corneocyte cells and has three distinct layers. The dorsal (uppermost) layer is 2-3 cell layers thick and contains the oldest, most damaged cells.
What are the 9 parts of the nail unit?
Name the basic parts of the nail unit. Nail plate, nail bed, matrix, cuticle, eponychium, perionychium, hyponychium, specialized ligaments, nail folds.
What makes your nails grow faster?
Take biotin
Biotin is an important type of B vitamin that allows the body to turn food into energy. It’s also highly recommended as a supplement to help boost the strength of hair and nails. Several human studies suggest that taking a biotin supplement daily can help strengthen nails.
What is the softest part of the nail?
Although the nail plate seems to be one single piece, it is actually three layers separated by minute amounts of moisture and fat. These layers vary in consistency, the external layer being the hardest and the inner layer, which adheres to the nail bed, the softest.
What does Onycholysis look like?
Nail lifting (onycholysis) is the spontaneous separation (detachment) of the fingernail or toenail from the nail bed at the end of the nail (distal) and/or on the sides of the nail (lateral). The appearance of nail lifting may resemble a half-moon, or the free edge of the nail may rise up like a hood.
How long does it take for a damaged nail bed to heal?
If you lose your nail, it will take about 7 to 10 days for the nail bed to heal. A new fingernail will take about 4 to 6 months to grow to replace the lost nail. Toenails take about 12 months to grow back.
How do you treat a damaged nail bed?
- removing all jewelry.
- washing the injured area gently with fragrance-free soap.
- bandaging the injury gently, if there is an open wound.
- applying an ice pack for about 20 minutes at a time.
- elevating the injured hand or foot.
- applying gentle compression to reduce any throbbing.