The science behind our nails.

It may seem that a nail is built of only one part, the nail plate. But you will probably be surprised to find out that there are many more visible elements, not even mentioning those invisible. Let’s have a closer look at nail structure.

The Nail Plate

This is a hard plate that is commonly called nail. It is composed of two layers, upper and lower. Both parts have a separate arrangements of cells that grow at various speeds. The upper surface is smooth, and lower one has parallel laminas that correspond with laminas of nail matrix. Each person has completely different laminas, thus they may help in identification of an individual.

Lunula (moon of a nail)

This is a white half-moon at the basis of nail plate, not visible at each fingernail. Nail grows out of a small region of living tissue at the basis of nail plate, so called 'a root'. This is the most important part of a nail. Lunula is a terminal part of a root and the only living part of a nail that is visible. The rest of a nail consists of dead cells.

Nail folds

Lateral and proximal. This term concerns the skin surrounding a nail plate. The skin forms a fold that does not end at the nail plate, but continues beneath it and protects each side of growing nail plate. It supports and protects area of a nail.

Eponychium

In fact, it spreads beneath the cuticle. This is a layer of colourless keratinizing skin that adheres to the proximal edge of a nail plate.

Distal edge

A part of a nail growing beyond a finger tip.

Hyponychium

This tissue, located beneath the distal edge, forms waterproof protection of nail matrix against infection.