The parts of the nail, whether at your fingers or toes, follow a basic structure.
This article explains each of these features of nail anatomy.
Parts of the Nail
Yournail plateis the actual fingernail, and it’s made of translucentkeratin.
Illustration by Alex Dos Diaz for Verywell Health
It produces most of the volume of the nail and the nail bed.
Thegerminal matrix(the nail matrix) and the nail root are related.
Without it, no nail plate growth is possible.
Underlying Structures
The nail bed is also referred to as the sterile matrix.
It extends from the edge of the nail root, or lunula, to the tissue known ashyponychium.
The nail bed contains blood vessels, nerves, andmelanocytesthat produce melanin.
Surrounding Tissues
Theeponychiumtissue produces thecuticle.
The cuticle is found between the skin of the finger and the nail plate.
It fuses these structures together and provides a waterproof barrier.
It includes the proximal (nearest to your body) fold of the skin, at the cuticle.
The paronychium is the site of conditions including hangnails,ingrown nails, andparonychia, a skin infection.
Thehyponychiumis the area between the free edge of the nail plate and the skin of the fingertip.
It also provides a waterproof barrier.
How Do Nails Grow?
On average, ahealthy person’s fingernailsgrow about 3 to 3.5 millimeters per month.
Nails aren’t merely tools, with their presence boosting the ability to handle objects or feel pressure.
Contact your healthcare provider to discuss any concerns with your nails and their appearance.
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