Parts Of The Nail

2. Area where the nail plate cells are formed; this area is composed of matrix cells that produce the nail plate.
3. Part of the nail plate that extends over the tip of the finger or toe.
5. Dead, colorless tissue attached to the natural nail plate.
7. Slits or furrows on the sides of the sidewall.
8. Hardened keratin plate that sits on the covers the natural nail bed. It is the most visible and functional part of the natural nail unit.
9. Portion of the living skin that supports the nail plate as it grows toward the free edge.
10. Slightly thickened layer of skin that lies between the fingertip and free edge of the natural nail plate.
11. Visible part of the matrix that extends from underneath the living skin; it is the whitish, half-moon shape at the base of the nail.
12. Tough band of fibrous tissue that connects bones or holds an organ in place.
13. Also known as onyx; the hard protective plate is composed mainly of keratin, the same fibrous protein found in skin and hair. the keratin in natural nails is harder than the keratin in skin or hair.

1. Also known as lateral nail fold; the fold of skin overlapping the side of the nail.
4. Living skin at the base of the natural nail plate that covers the matrix area.
5. Folds of normal skin that surround the natural nail plate.
6. Thin layer of tissue that attaches the nail plate and the nail.
7. Composed of several major parts of the fingernail including the nail plate, nail bed, matrix, cuticle, eponychium, hyponychium, hyponychium, specialized ligaments, and nail fold. Together, all of these parts form the nail unit.