Nails are modified skin and one of the accessory organs of the skin. They are located within the dermis and formed through layers of epidermal cells that pile on top of each other to form the nail plate. The external structures of nails include the cuticle, free edge, lunula, nail bed, nail body, and nail root. Nail health can indicate overall health issues as illnesses can impact nail growth, and discoloration like a dark purplish tone can signal low blood oxygen levels. Diagrams provide depictions of healthy and unhealthy nail anatomy.

1. Nails and It’s Functions By: Demetris Norton

2. What are Nails? The nails are modified skin The nails is one of the accessory organs of the skin The nails anatomical structure is located within the dermis (true skin).

3. Nail Formation Epidermal (means above the skin) cells guide the nail root up to the surface of the skin Then the cells increase and the nail root flattens, presses tightly together These cells pile in layers on top of each other, called a plate, forming the nail.

4. External/InternalStructure of the Nails Cuticle – is the soft tissue around the base Free Edge – is the nail overhang that needs trimming when too long Lunula – is the half moon area at the base of the nail Nail Bed – connected to the nail body by tissue beneath the nail bed Nail Body – is connected to the tissues beneath the nail bed Nail Root – is the nail growth from the nail root

5. Nail Health Onychia –infected nail bed. Paronychia – infections of the skin fold around a nail. The nail can indicate that a person has health problems because illness can affect its growth. An indication of low oxygen in the blood is when a person’s nails have dark purplish color

6. Anatomy of the nail

7. Anatomy of a healthy Nail

8. Anatomy of an unhealthy nail