- Home
- Parents Home
- Allergy Center
- Asthma Center
- Cancer Center
- Diabetes Center
- A to Z
- Emotions & Behavior
- First Aid & Safety
- Food Allergy Center
- General Health
- Growth & Development
- Flu Center
- Heart Health
- Helping With Homework
- Infections
- Diseases & Conditions
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Play & Learn Center
- School & Family Life
- Pregnancy & Newborn Center
- Q&A
- Recipes
- Sports Medicine Center
- Doctors & Hospitals
- Videos
- Para Padres
- Home
- Kids Home
- Asthma Center for Kids
- Cancer Center for Kids
- Movies & More
- Diabetes Center for Kids
- Getting Help
- Feelings
- Puberty & Growing Up
- Health Problems of Grown-Ups
- Health Problems
- Homework Center
- How the Body Works
- Illnesses & Injuries
- Nutrition & Fitness Center for Kids
- Recipes & Cooking for Kids
- Staying Healthy
- Stay Safe Center
- Relax & Unwind Center
- Q&A for Kids
- The Heart
- Videos for Kids
- Staying Safe
- Kids' Medical Dictionary
- Para Niños
- Home
- Teens Home
- Asthma Center for Teens
- Be Your Best Self
- Cancer Center for Teens
- Diabetes Center for Teens
- Diseases & Conditions (for Teens)
- Drugs & Alcohol
- Expert Answers (Q&A)
- Flu Center for Teens
- Homework Help for Teens
- Infections (for Teens)
- Managing Your Medical Care
- Managing Your Weight
- Nutrition & Fitness Center for Teens
- Recipes for Teens
- Safety & First Aid
- School & Work
- Sexual Health
- Sports Center
- Stress & Coping Center
- Videos for Teens
- Body
- Mind
- Para Adolescentes
Nails
What Are Nails?
Nails are plates of hardened protein packed into layers. Nails support and protect the sensitive tips of our fingers and toes. We use our nails for many tasks, like picking up small objects, scratching an itch, and untying a knot.
What Are the Different Parts of Nails?
Nails have many parts:
- The matrix (MAY-triks) is the area at the base of the nail that makes new cells.
- The lunula (LOON-yuh-luh) is the white part of the matrix that looks like a crescent moon.
- The nail plate is the largest part of the nail. It looks pink from the network of tiny blood vessels in the skin beneath it.
- The nail bed is underneath the nail plate.
- Nail folds are the areas of skin around the nail plate that hold it in place.
- The cuticle (KYOO-tih-kul) is the thin layer of skin that comes from the nail fold near the lunula and attaches to the nail plate.
How Do Nails Grow?
Cells grow in the matrix at the base of the nail. As new cells are made, they move up to the surface of the skin and push the older cells up and forward toward the tip of a finger or toe. The cells get pressed tightly together to make a thin plate. Plates pile into layers to form the nail. During this process the cells become hard and die. This hardening is called keratinization (kair-eh-tih-neh-ZAY-shen).
If an injury causes a nail to tear off, the nail will grow back if the matrix isn't severely injured.
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
© 1995- The Nemours Foundation. KidsHealth® is a registered trademark of The Nemours Foundation. All rights reserved.
Images sourced by The Nemours Foundation and Getty Images.