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