Fingernail Anatomy, Nail Saving Tips

Your nails are made up of layers of keratin — a protein that's also found in your hair and skin. Each nail is comprised of several parts,

Nail Structure

The structure we know of as the nail is divided into six specific parts - the root, nail bed, nail plate, eponychium (cuticle), perionychium, and hyponychium. Each of these structures has a specific function, and if disrupted can result in an abnormal appearing fingernail.

Nail plate. The nail plate is the actual fingernail, made of translucent keratin. The pink appearance of the nail comes from the blood vessels underneath the nail. The underneath surface of the nail plate has grooves along the length of the nail that help anchor it to the nail bed.

Nail folds This is the skin that frames each of your nails on three sides.

Nail bed Your nail bed is the skin beneath the nail plate.

Cuticle The cuticle of the fingernail is also called the eponychium. The cuticle is situated between the skin of the finger and the nail plate fusing these structures together and providing a waterproof barrier. Your cuticle tissue overlaps your nail plate at the base of your nail.

Lunula The lunula is the whitish, half-moon shape at the base of your nail.

Perionychium The perioncyhium is the skin that overlies the nail plate on its sides. It is also known as the paronychial edge. The perionychium is the site of hangnails, ingrown nails, and an infection of the skin called paronychia.

Hyponychium The hyponychium is the area between the nail plate and the fingertip. It is the junction between the free edge of the nail and the skin of the fingertip, also providing a waterproof barrier

Pterygium Inversum Unguis is an acquired condition characterized by a forward growth of the hyponychium characterized by live tissue firmly attached to the underside of the nail plate, which contains a blood supply and nerves.  Possible causes are systemic, hereditary, or from an allergic reaction to acrylics or solvents.  Never use force to 'push back' the advancing hyponychium -- it is an extremely painful approach, and will result in a blood flow.

  This is what I have and as my nails grow the skin grows. (extended nailbed)

Left--See how my nail bed appear to be extra long.

Right--See the skin growing up the nail (hyponychium)

When my nails break down into the nailbed that hyponychium is very sensitive.  In time it shrinks away and when nails grow back long its back again.  Does your nails grow like this too?   

Growth of Your Nails

Unlike hairs, your nails grow continuously throughout life and are not normally shed. Your nails grow approximately one-half to one millimeter per week. It takes from five to seven months for a nail plate to completely replace itself - from the time it is formed at the root, until it reaches out beyond the finger tip. Toenails grow more slowly, a third to half the rate of fingernails. A thickernail usually grows more slowly than a thin nail. Nails grow more quickly in the daytime and during the summer. The nail on the middle finger grows fastest, with the rate progressively decreasing on the fourth, second and fifth fingers with the thumb the slowest. If a nail is injured and falls off, it is usually replaced at the normal growth rate. If the matrix is destroyed, a new nail will not grow. If the matrix is damaged, the new nail will grow distortedly. In right-handed people the nails grow more quickly on the right hand, with left hand nail growth faster on left-handed people.

A Few Nail-Saving Tips


1. Dial the telephone with the end of a pencil, not your fingertips.

2. Avoid picking up objects when it means your fingertips may strike a hard surface - slide the object off into your hand.

3. Don't use your nails to pry, cut or scrape.

4. Use a letter opener, not your fingernail, to open envelopes and packages.

5. Wear rubber gloves when doing dishes or other "tough on the nails" jobs.

6. Manicure your nails regularly since nail polish can protect the nail surface.

7. Dig your nails into a bar of soap before gardening to prevent dirt getting under the nails - or wear gardening gloves.


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Until next time please have a great nail polish day. (✿◠‿◠)