Study of Nails

Nails are indicators of our health. Healthy nails with slightly pink colour indicate good health of the person. Nail is an appendage of the skin. It is a horny extension of the skin. The visible part is only half of the structure. Nails are made from keratin and its condition is dependent on the body's overall health.

Nails grow about 1/4 inch per month. So a new nail takes about four months to reach the tip from the cuticle. A high-protein diet, rich in iron, vitamin B, zinc and calcium will keep nails healthy. The technical term for nail is onyx and the study of nail is called onychology.

Structure of Nail

The knowledge of the nail structure will help you to identify the condition of the nail. This will also enable you to avoid causing damage to the nails during the process of manicure and pedicure.

Nails are flat horny structures and their function is to protect extremities of fingers and toes. They are similar in structure to the epidermis and hair, being formed by cells containing keratin, but are very compact.

Nails arise from a fold, the lower portion of which forms the matrix and the upper portion the nail wall. The matrix is the portion in which the nail germinates and contains the nerve and blood supply. The cells grow forward and become horny.

A white crescent shape is visible at the base of the nail and is known as the lunula. The colour is due to the reflection of light at the junction of the matrix and nail bed. The nail is composed of various parts like:

  1. The nail plate
  2. The nail bed to which the nail is attached
  3. The free edge, it is whitish in colour because of reflection of light
  4. The root

Under the nail plate there are ridges which correspond with depressions in the nail bed. While the nail bed is similar to the matrix, it plays no part in the reproduction of the nail plate. Around the nail base there is a fold of skin called eponychium or cuticle. The scarf skin under the free edge which can be observed when the nail has been filed is the hyponychium. The pink colour of the nail is due to its transparency. Nails with a blue tinge denote poor circulation.

Shapes and Types of Nails

Nails naturally vary in shape but some common types of nails are: