Nail Structure

The nail structure is made up of several components that assist us in maintaining healthy, clear looking nails. When one or more of these components break down it often results in abnormal and embarrassing looking fingernails/toenails. The 6 main areas of the nail structure are known as follows: the root, nail bed, nail plate, eponychium (cuticle), perionychium, and hyponychium. Below is a brief description of each of the nail's components.

Nail Root
The root of our nails is known as the germinal matrix. This portion of the nail is underneath the skin behind the nail and reaches many millimeters into the finger/toe. The nail root manufactures most of the volume of the nail and the nail bed. This portion of the nail does not have any melanocytes, or melanin producing cells. The edge of the germinal matrix is seen as a crescent shaped structure white in color that is referred to as the lunula.

Nail Bed
The nail bed is part of the nail matrix and it starts at the edge of the lunula and extends to the hyponychium. The nail bed contains the nerves, blood supply, and melanocytes. As the nail is produced by the root, it protrudes down along the nail bed, which adds keratin to the undersurface of the nail making it thicker. The nail bed should be smooth when functioning normally.

Nail Plate
The nail plate is the actual nail which is comprised of translucent keratin. The pink appearance of the nail comes from the blood vessels beneath the nail. The lower surface of the nail plate has grooves along the length of it to allow it to anchor itself to the nail bed.

Cuticle
The cuticle of nail is also called the eponychium. The cuticle is situated between the skin of the finger/toe and the nail plate joining these structures together and providing a waterproof barrier.

Perionychium
The perioncyhium is the skin that lies on top of the nail plate on its sides. It is also known as the paronychial edge. The perionychium is the common site of ingrown nails, hangnails, and an infection of the skin called paronychia.

Hyponychium
The hyponychium is the area between the nail plate and the fingertip/toetip. It is the junction between the free edge of the nail and the skin of the fingertip/toetip, also providing a waterproof barrier.

Nail Folds
This is the skin that frames each of your nails on three sides. The proximal nail fold is the nearest attached end.

Nail Growth
The components of the nails all grow at different time intervals and the quality of growth generally dissipates as we age which is thought to be a result of poor circulation. In general, fingernails grow faster than toenails at a rate of approximately 2 - 3 millimeters per month. Toenails grow about .5 - 1.5 millimeters per month and take up to 12 months reach free edge. The key to maintaining healthy nails is through proper diet, hygiene and maintenance (clipping, cleaning, use of antifungal products).