Structure of the nail

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Learning about the structure of the nail is important and can help people better understand the necessity of proper nail care and hygiene. It can also help you identify any irregularities that you may see occur. The toenail, as with many other body parts, has its complexities. There are a total of 7 parts to the nail: the nail root, the lunula, the cuticle, the perionychium, the nail plate, the nail bed, the free edge.

1. The Nail Root – this is one of the main parts of the nail, which is more formally identified as germinal matrix. This is the tissue that rests beneath the skin and starts a couple millimeters into the finger or toe and ends at the base of the nail that Is visible. The root gains nutrients through your blood vessels and that is essentially how the nail is created.

2. The Lunula – also known as the “crescent” or “half-moon” is the part of the nail where you can usually see the white curved part at the base part of the nail. It is typically apparent on the fingernails, and much easier to notice on the thumbs or big toes. This part is at the edge of nail root and plays a large part in the formation of the nail.

3. The Cuticle – this area in formal terms is known as the eponychium, which is the part that rests between your skin and your nail plate at the base. The cuticle acts as a protective seal to protect from water getting underneath the skin at the base of the nail. Having a small amount of cuticle present is healthy for the nail.

4. The Perionychium – this part is similar to the cuticle, which rests between the skin and nail plate at the sides of your nails. Some experience the nail growing into the perionychium and the outcome is typically an ingrown nail or a hangnail.

5. The Nail Plate – The nail plate is the hard and brittle part of the nail where we typically cover with nail polish. It is translucent in color/appearance, since it is made of keratin. Typically people may notice it as pink in color; however that is only because the blood vessels sit beneath it. When looking at its structure it is seen as smooth yet grooved at the bottom. The groove is what allows it to stay intact with the nail bed.

6. The Nail Bed – This part is technically not part of the nail, however the nail bed is still imperative in the formation and creation of the nail. The bed is what gives the nails its strength and thickness, which is due to the nerves, blood vessels, and the melanocytes. The growth of the nail does not end at the root it actually continues to grow toward the free edge of the nail, which is why it is painful when the nail gets peeled back.

7. The Free Edge. – Lastly, the free edge. This part of the nail is the tip of the nail and usually appears as a white line. This part you may trim without pain, however it is the most susceptible part since it is the part that is least protected and no longer receives nourishment from the body. The part where the free edge connects to the tip of the toe or the tip of the fingernail is identified as “hyponychium.” Just like the cuticle, this part is what connects the nail and skin, protecting from water.

As you can tell, there are a number of different parts to the nail, probably more than you knew existed. The nail is a sensitive and fragile part of the body that needs to also maintain proper hygiene to remain healthy.