Chapter 9 Nail Structure and Growth
free edge
part if the nail plate that extends over the tip of the finger or toe
hyponychium
slightly thickened layer of skin that lies between the fingertip and free edge of the natural nail plate
nail folds
Folds or furrows on the sides of the sidewall
nail plate
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
sidewall
also known as lateral nail fold; the fold of the skin overlapping the side of the nail
matrix
area where the nail plate cells are formed;this area is composed of the of matrix cells that produce the nail plate
nail cuticle
dead, colorless tissue attached to the natural nail bed
eponychium
living skin at the base of the natural nail plate that covers the matrix area
nail bed
portion of the living skin that supports the nail plate as it grows toward the free edge
bed epithelium
thin layer of tissue that attached the nail plate and the nail bed
ligament
tough band of fibrous tissue that connects bones or holds an organ in place
lunula
visiable part of the matrix that extends from underneath the living skin; it is whitish, half-moon shape at the base of the nail
natural nail unit
Composed of several major parts of the fingernail including the nail plate, nail bed, matrix, cuticle, eponychuim, hyponychium, specialized ligaments, and nail folds, together all of these parts form the nail unit