Nails

Natural Nail

The hard protective plate located at the end of the finger or toe.

Natural Nail Unit

All the anatomical parts of the fingernail necessary to produce the natural nail plate.

Onyx

The technical term for nail of the fingers or toes.

Nail Folds

The folds of normal skin that surround the nail plate.

Nail Grooves

A slit or furrow on the sides of the nail.

Lateral Nail Folds

Folds of normal skin that line the sides of the nail plate, also known as the sidewall.

Nail Plate

A hard keratin plate on top of and slowly sliding across the nail bed as it grows; the most visible and functional part of the nail unit.

Free Edge

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

Nail Bed

Portion of the living skin that supports the nail plate as it grows toward the free edge.

Bed Epithelium

A thin layer of tissue between the nail plate and the nail bed.

Matrix

An area where the nail plate cells are formed, this area is composed of matrix cells that make up the nail plate.

Cuticle

The dead, colorless tissue attached to the nail plate

Eponychium

Living skin at the base of the nail plate and covering the matrix area.

Hyponychium

A slightly thickened layer of skin that lies between the fingertip and free edge of the nail plate, it forms a protective barrier that prevents microorganisms from invading and infecting the nail bed.

Ligament

A tough band of fibrous tissue that connects bones or holds an organ in place.

Nail Disorder

A condition caused by an injury or disease of the nail unit.

Beau’s Lines

Visible depressions running across the width of the natural nail plate.

Bruised Nailbed

A condition in which a blood clot forms under the nail plate, forming a dark purplish spot; this is usually due to physical injury.

Discolored Nail

The nail turns a variety of colors, which can be surface staining, a disorder, or poor circulation.

Eggshell Nail

A noticeably thin, white plate that is more flexible than normal.

Hangnail

A condition in which the eponychium or the other living tissue surrounding the nail plate becomes split or torn.

Infected Finger

Visible redness, pain, swelling, broken skin, or pus. Refuse service and refer to physician.

Leukonychia

Whitish discoloration found inside the nail plate, usually caused by injury to the nail matrix.

Melanonychia

Significant darkening of the fingernails or toenails, may be seen as a black band under or within the nail plate, extending from the base to the free edge.

Nail Psoriasis

A noninfectious condition that affects the surface of the nail plate, causing it to appear rough and pitted with reddish spots on the nail bed and onycholysis.

Nail Pterygium

An abnormal condition that occurs when the skin is stretched by the nail plate; usually caused by serious injury or allergic reaction.

Onychorhexis

Split or brittle nails that also have a series of lengthwise ridges that give a rough appearance to the surface of the nail plate

Pincer Nail

Increased crosswise curvature throughout the nail plate caused by an increased curvature of the matrix.

Plicatured Nail

Also known as folded nail; a type of highly curved nail plate often caused by injury to the matrix, but that may be inherited.

Ridged Nail

Vertical lines running the length of the natural nail plate, usually related to normal aging.

Splinter Hemorrhage

Caused by physical trauma or injury to the nail bed, which damages the capillaries and allows the small amounts of blood flow.

Onycholysis

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

Onychocryptosis

Ingrown nail; nail grows into the living tissue around the nail.

Onychomadesis

The separation and falling off of a nail from the nail bed.

Onychomycosis

A fungal infection of the nail plate.

Onychosis

Any deformity or disease of the nails.

Onychia

Inflammation of the matrix of the nail with shedding of the nail.

Paronychia

A bacterial inflammation of the tissues surrounding the nail; pus, redness, and swelling are usually present.

Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

Common bacteria that can cause infection and the test microorganism for a hospital disinfectant, which is the type of disinfectant that should be used in a salon.

Pyogenic Granuloma

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

Tinea Pedis

The medical term for fungal infections of the feet.

Trumpet Nail

A disorder in which the edges of the nail plate curl around to form the shape of the trumpet or sharp cone at the free edge.