Anatomy of Nail

ANATOMY OF NAIL
Nail apparatus consist of a horny dead

product, nail plate and four specialized
epithelia…
 1) the proximal nail fold
 2) the nail matrix
 3) the nail bed
 4) the hyponychium and cuticle
It also consist of an anchoring system of
ligaments between bone and matrix.
DEVELOPMENT OF NAIL
 nail apparatus
 9th week (from the primitive epidermis of the dorsal

tip of the digit) as a rectangular nail fold delineated by a
continuous groove.
 Continued proliferation in the proximal direction define their

final dorsal position.
 Due to its slow rate of growth, the epidermis of the digital skin
overlap their sides and proximal part to form nail folds.
 By 36 weeks complete nail plate reaches the tip of digit

surrounded by lateral nail fold, and well formed cuticle.
NAIL PLATE
 Fully keratinized, continuously produced throughout life.
 Rectangular translucent plate
 Made of hard keratin
 Results from maturation and
Keratinization of nail matrix
Epithelium and attached to nail
Bed.
Thickness of fingernail 0.6mm
in male, 0.5 in female
Thickness of toenail 1.65 mm in
male, 1.38 mm in female. Thickness
due to nail bed disorders and thinning is
is due nail matrix disorders.
cont….
Shape convex longitudinally and transversely.
Dorsal and ventral surface of nail plate have
longitudinal ridges ( forensic importance)
Lunula : Visible portion of matrix
Loose attachment
White due to –
1)focal,incomplete keratinisation
2)thick matrix epithelium
3)dense dermal collagen
Distal to lunula nail plate pink
due to reflection of underlying rich
vascular bed.
Cont…
 Insertion : deep proximally shallow laterally
 Comprised of 3 horizontal layer
1)Thin dorsal lamina- nail matrix
2) Thicker intermediate-nail matrix
3)Ventral layer- nail bed
 Composed of closely apposed,
flattened squamous cells, results of
tortuous, interlocking plasma
membrane.
 Contain phospholipid in dorsal
and intermediate layer, contribute
flexibility.
 Contain calcium bound phospholipid
intracellularly.
NAIL MATRIX
Specialized epithelial structure, produce major part of
nail plate by onychokeratinisation.
Occur by accretion of tonofilaments, without
formation of intervening
keratohyaline granules.
Germinative epithelium
consist of basal cells that
differentiate & herdended
to form nail plate.
Melanocyte in lowest 3 layers.
donate pigment to keratinocyte.
Granular layer absent in matrix.
NAIL BED
Consist of epidermis & underlying connective
tissue.
Closely apposed to periosteum
of distal phalynx
Epithelium thin, 2-5 cell layer
Rete ridges extend obliquely
downwards.
Extend from distal margin of
lunula to onychodermal band,
visible thro’ nail plate.
Epithelium adherent to nail plate.
CUTICLE OF NAIL
Projects from the junction of dorsal proximal
and ventral proximal nail fold.
Composed of modified stratum corneum.
Adheres to the upper surface
of the nail plate.
Protects the structures at the
base of the nail(germinal matrix)
from environmental irritants.
HYPONYCHIUM
Area between the nail bed and the
distal groove where nail plate
detaches from the dorsal digit.
Covered by a nail plate.
NAIL FOLDS
Proximal: Similar in structure to the adjacent
skin.
( possesses all 4 layers)
Devoid of dermatoglyphic
markings and pilosebaceous glands.
Normal granular layer.
Has 2 surfaces, dorsal and
ventral.
Lateral: Continuous with the proximal fold
and the skin on the sides of the digit
laterally.
ANCHORING SYSTEM
Collagen fibrils in the nailbed are oriented in

a vertical direction and attached to the
phalyngeal periosteum and epidermal basal
lamina.
Within the connective tissue
network lie blood vessels, lym
phatics and a fine network of
elastic fibers and scattered
fat cells.
BLOOD SUPPLY
 Lateral digital arteries
 run along the side of the digits
 branches that supply matrix,

and prox nail fold
arches that supply the matrix
and nail bed.
Contd….
Many A-V anastomoses beneath the nail bed.
Glomus bodies beneath the distal nail bed are
concerned with heat regulation and
maintenance of acral circulation.
FUNCTIONS OF NAIL
Protects the distal phalynges
Enhances tactile discrimination
Helps in picking small objects.
Helps in scratching and grooming (natural
weapon)
PROPERTIES OF NAIL
PHYSICAL:
Hardness is due to high content of hard
keratin.
Flexibility is due to water content and nail
plate hydration.
Physical properties also depend on the
arrangement and adhesion of onychocytes,
and on the orientation of the keratin filaments
within the onychocytes.
Corneocytes of the dorsal plate are flat, with
their smaller diameter being perpendicular to
Contd..
Corneocytes of the intermediate nail plate show
multiple interdigitations of their cell membranes.
Cell adhesion is strong and is provided by desmosomes.
Ventral nail plate is thin and made of soft keratin.
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES:
Nail plate consists mainly of keratins (filamentous
protein) in a matrix of cysteine rich protein.
Other constituents- water, lipids, (cholesterol) and
trace elements,( iron, zinc ,calcium.)Most of the water
is in the intermediate nail plate.
Contd…
80-90 % nail keratins are hard or hair type
keratins
10-20% are soft keratins
Keratin filaments are oriented transversely to
the nail surface.
Hard keratins are 44k, 46k ( acidic) 56k,60k
(basic)
Soft keratins are 50k, 58k, 48k, 56k.
Trace elements don’t contribute to the
hardness of nail.
NAIL GROWTH
Nail plate grows throughout life.
Finger nails grow faster than toenails at the
rate of 3mm /month. ( toenails 1mm)
Complete replacement of a fingernails…..6
months,and toenail is 12 to 18 months.
Regrowth depends among different digits in a
same individual.
Depends on the turnover rate of the matrix
cells and by various physiologic and
pathologic conditions.

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Nail apparatus consist of a horny dead

 9th week (from the primitive epidermis of the dorsal

 Continued proliferation in the proximal direction define their

 By 36 weeks complete nail plate reaches the tip of digit

Collagen fibrils in the nailbed are oriented in

 run along the side of the digits

 branches that supply matrix,

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