Nail structure – elements, functions. What does a nail consist of?

Proven content

Nails, just like hair, are not only an aesthetic element of our body, but also have functional values. An insightful doctor can diagnose the disease based on, among other things, the appearance of our nails, so they also have a diagnostic function. That is why their proper care and observation of the nail plate is so important.

What are nails made of?

The toenail is produced by living skin cells on the finger. A nail is made up of several parts, including the nail plate (the visible part of the nail), nail bed (skin under the nail plate), cuticle (the tissue that overlaps the plate and surrounds the base of the nail), nail folds (skin folds that surround and support the nail). nail on three sides), lunar (whitish crescent at the base of the nail) and matrix (the hidden part of the nail unit under the cuticle).

Nails are mainly made of keratin, a hardened protein (also found in the skin and hair). As new cells grow in the matrix, older cells are pushed out, compacted, and take the familiar flattened, hardened form of a nail. At Medonet Market you can order keratin dietary supplements, e.g. CLINICAL HAIR, SKIN & NAILS capsules with keratin.

The nail has many soft tissue structures that support and form a hard outer nail, called the nail plate.

Nail structure – nail shaft

Nail shafts are soft tissue structures that protect the side and proximal edges of the nail plate. The proximal nail fold protects most of the nail matrix from injury and ultraviolet rays.

Structure of the nail – epidermal helix

The epidermal helix (also known as eponychium) grows from the proximal nail bed and adjoins the nail plate. The proximal nail fold and cuticle together form a protective seal against any irritants that may damage the nail matrix.

See also: Where do wavy nails come from?

Nail structure – nail matrix

The nail matrix is ​​deep within the proximal nail fold and the nail plate. The proximal nail matrix begins approximately halfway between the distal interphalangeal joint and the proximal nail fold. The distal nail matrix is ​​visible through the nail plate as a white crescent structure called a lunatic.

The nail matrix is ​​responsible for the formation of the hard nail plate and is the only part of the nail unit that contains melanocytes. The nail cells, called onychocytes, are pushed superficially and distally to form the nail plate. Different parts of the nail matrix make up different sections of the nail plate. Generally, the dorsal surface of the nail plate is formed from the proximal nail matrix and the ventral nail plate is formed from the distal nail matrix. However, 80% of the nail plate consists of the proximal nail matrix.

The structure of the nail – the nail plate

The nail plate is a hard, calloused structure made of dense onychocytes arranged in a plate pattern. The dorsal surface of the nail plate is smooth with longitudinal stripes. Underneath the nail plate is the nail bed and part of the nail matrix.

Nail structure – nail bed

The nail bed is attached to the ventral surface of the nail plate and begins distally from the base of the nail and ends at the inside of the nail. The nail plate is attached to the nail bed through the longitudinal ridges of the cuticle. Below the nail bed is a thin layer of collagen dermis that adheres to the periosteum below the distal phalanx. Lack of subcutaneous fat may increase the risk of osteomyelitis of the distal phalanx in case of nail infection.

Also read: Ingrown nail – how to deal with it?

The structure of the nail – hyponychium

Hyponychium is the inner layer of the nail. This is the area distal from the nail bed and under the free edge of the nail plate.

Nail structure and nail growth

Nails keep growing, but their growth rate slows down due to poor circulation and the aging of the body. The exact growth rate of a nail depends on many factors including the age and sex of the individual and the time of year. Nails generally grow faster in young people, in men and in summer. The nails of the right hand of a right-handed person grow faster than the nails of the left hand, and vice versa.

Toenails grow faster than toenails, at a rate of 3 millimeters per month. Toenails take six months from root to free edge. The toenails grow much more slowly, just 1 millimeter per month. It takes 12 to 18 months from the root to the tip of the nail.

Nail structure – factors damaging the nails

The structure of the nail is important when it comes to its aesthetic condition, but it must not be forgotten that there are many factors that can cause the degradation of the nail plate. They can be divided into three groups:

1. mechanical factors, e.g. cuts,
2. internal factors such as: bacterial infections, improper diet, diseases with nail problems as a side effect, e.g. diabetes,
3. external factors, for example household detergents.

The structure of the nail is important, no less important is proper care not only for the nails, but also for the entire hands. The nails do not have to be long and painted, but properly nourished, evenly trimmed with the cuticles removed.

Do you want to nourish your nails? Try Bioherba nail and cuticle oil or use the natural Orientana nail and cuticle elixir with snail slime.

Hair care does not take much time, so it is worth spending a dozen or so minutes at least once a week. Regular visits to a beautician are also a good solution, especially for people who have, for example, brittle nails. Nourishing your nails is also not a complicated procedure that can be done at home. The care is complemented by a proper diet rich in pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, nuts and green vegetables.

Nail structure – diseases

Nails can be an important clue for a local or even systemic disease. Listed below are some of the most common nail ailments and diseases.

Leukonychia – white discoloration on the nail due to defective keratinization of the distal nail matrix. The transverse leukonychia are the transverse parallel white stripes on the nail.

Oblong melanonychia – it is distinguished by the presence of a dark pigment band on the nail, which is caused by the presence of melanin in the nail plate. Benign pigment changes can be difficult to distinguish from nail melanoma. Therefore, a biopsy may be necessary for a final diagnosis.

Onycholysis— occurs when the distal nail plate is no longer securely attached to the nail bed and other support structures such as nail folds. Onycholysis can be caused by trauma or it can be associated with many skin conditions, such as psoriasis and onychomycosis.

Onychomadesis (periodic idiopathic shedding of nails) – exfoliation and separation of the proximal nail plate from the proximal nail fold. The cause may be complete loss of both the proximal and distal nail matrices due to systemic stressors or trauma.

Onychomycosis – occurs as a thickened yellow, discolored nail plate caused by onychomycosis and the surrounding tissue.

Paronychia is an infection of the nails of the hands or feet. The condition can be acute or chronic, and may lead to deformation of the nails. Symptoms of foot rot include swelling, redness, pain, and areas of pus in or around the nail. The most common cause of acute foot rot is staphylococcus aureus.

Subungual melanoma (or nail matrix melanoma) – is a condition in which cancer cells develop in the nail matrix. Cancer cells can cause changes in the nail pigments. As a result, a distinct, striped discoloration may develop from the nail matrix.