Nail Structure, Growth, Disorders, and Diseases

Vocabulary flashcards covering natural nail anatomy, growth cycles, common nail disorders, and nail diseases based on lecture material.

Onyx

The technical term for the natural nail.

Keratin

The fiber-shaped protein found in skin, hair, and natural nails that makes up the majority of the natural nail plate.

Natural Nail Unit

All parts of the finger from the tip to the first knuckle, comprising the nail folds, proximal nail fold, nail plate, nail bed, matrix, cuticle, eponychium, hyponychium, and specialized ligaments.

Perionychium

The collective term for the nail bed, nail fold, eponychium, paronychium, and hyponychium.

Nail Folds

Skin folds that surround the nail plate and form the nail groove on the nail's sides.

Lateral Nail Fold

Also known as the sidewall; the skin fold overlapping the nail's side.

Proximal Nail Fold (PNF)

The entire skin flap covering the matrix, extending from the visible nail plate's edge to the first joint of the finger or toe.

Nail Bed

Also known as sterile matrix; the portion of living skin that supports the nail plate as it grows toward the free edge.

Bed Epithelium

A thin layer of tissue that attaches the nail bed to the nail plate and helps guide the nail plate along the nail bed as it grows.

Matrix

The area where nail plate cells are formed, extending from under the nail fold at the nail plate's base; contains nerves, lymph, and blood vessels.

Lunula

The visible part of the matrix extending from underneath the living skin, appearing as a whitish, half-moon shape underneath the nail plate's base.

Nail Plate

The hardened keratin plate sitting on top of the nail bed, constructed of approximately 100 nail cell layers.

Free Edge

The part of the nail plate that extends over the tip of the finger or toe.

Cuticle

The nonliving, colorless tissue attached to the nail plate that originates from the eponychium on the underside of the proximal nail fold.

Eponychium

The living skin underneath the PNF found at the base of the nail plate covering the matrix area.

Hyponychium

The slightly thickened skin layer between the fingertip and the nail plate's free edge that forms a protective barrier preventing microorganisms from infecting the nail bed.

Ligament

A tough band of fibrous tissue that connects bones or holds an organ in place; specialized ligaments attach the nail bed and matrix to the underlying bone.

Nail Disorder

An unhealthy nail condition that is hereditary or caused by injury or disease of the nail unit.

Beau's Lines

Depressions running across the nail plate's width caused by slowed production of matrix cells, leading to a thinner nail plate.

Bruised Nail Bed

Dark purplish spots on the nail, usually caused by a small injury to the nail bed.

Discolored Nail

Condition where nails turn a variety of colors, which may indicate surface staining, a systemic disorder, or poor blood circulation.

Eggshell Nail

Noticeably thin white nail plate that is more flexible than usual.

Hangnail

Damaged skin around the nail plate (often on the eponychium) that becomes split or torn.

Leukonychia

Whitish discolored spots on the nails, usually caused by minor injury to the nail matrix.

Melanonychia

Significant nail darkening caused by increased pigment cells (melanocytes), visible as a black band or dark color across the nail plate.

Nail Pterygium

Irregular stretching of the eponychium or hyponychium around the nail plate, usually caused by serious injury or allergic skin reaction.

Onychophagy

Bitten nails.

Onychorrhexis

Irregular split or brittle nails appearing as roughness on the nail plate surface.

Pincer Nail

Also known as trumpet nail; a form of dramatically increased nail curvature of the free edge where the nail plate curls in upon itself.

Plicatured Nail

Also known as a folded nail; a highly curved nail plate often leading to ingrown nails.

Ridged Nail

Lengthwise grooves in the nail plate, often mistaken for ridges and usually caused by aging.

Splinter Hemorrhage

Damage to the capillaries under the nail, giving the appearance of a small lengthwise splinter underneath the nail plate.

Onychosis

The medical term for any natural nail deformity or disease.

Nail Melanoma

Also known as subungual melanoma; a rare and serious type of skin cancer that begins in the nail matrix.

Nail Psoriasis

Nail surface pitting, roughness, onycholysis, and bed discolorations randomly or evenly spaced across the nail.

Onychia

Matrix inflammation and nail shedding caused by infection or injury.

Onychocryptosis

Ingrown nail, wherein the nail grows into the sides of the tissue surrounding the nail.

Onycholysis

Separation of the nail plate from the nail bed, often due to injury or allergic reactions.

Onychomadesis

Separation and falling off of a nail plate from the nail bed.

Onychomycosis

Fungal infection of the nail plate, appearing as whitish patches, yellowish streaks, or crumbling of the free edge.

Paronychia

Bacterial inflammation of the tissues surrounding the nail plate, causing pus, swelling, and redness.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Rapidly growing and contagious bacteria causing nail infection, progressing from yellow-green spots to brown and black.

Pyogenic Granuloma

Severe nail inflammation in which a lump of red tissue grows up from the nail bed to the nail plate.

Tinea Pedis

Medical term for fungal infections of the feet, also known as athlete's foot.

Scope of Practice

The list of permitted procedures and activities defined by state laws and statutes for a specific professional license.