Beau's lines

Visible depressions running across the width of the natural nail plate

Bed epithelium

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

Bruised nail bed

A condition on which a blood clot forms under the nail plate, forming a dark purplish spot, that is usually due to physical injury

Cuticle

The dead, colorless tissue attached to the nail plate

Discolored nail

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

Eggshell nail

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

eponychium

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

Free edge

The part of the nail plate that extends over the tip of the finger and toes

Hangnail

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

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

Infected finger

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

Lateral nail fold

Folds of normal skin that lines the sides of the nail plate, also known as sidewalls

Leukonychia

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

Ligament

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

Matrix

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

Melanonychia

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

Nail bed

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

Nail disorder

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

Nail folds

The folds of normal skin that surround the nail plate

Nail groove

A slit or furrow on the sides of the nail

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

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

Natural nail unit

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

Natural nail

The hard protective plate located at the end of the fingers and toes

Onychia

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

Onychogryphosis

Ingrown nail, nail grows into the living tissue around the nail

onycholysis

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

onychomadesis

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

onychomycosis

A fungal infection of the nail plate

onychophagy

Bitten nails

Onychorrhexis

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

Onychosis

Any deformity or disease od the nails

Onyx

The technical term for nail of the fingers and toes

Paronychia

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

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 matrix but that may be inherited

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Common bacteria that can cause infection and the test microorganisms for a hospital disinfectant, which is a 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

Ridged nail

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

Sidewall

See lateral nail fold

Splinter hemorrhages

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

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 a trumpet or sharp cone at the free edge