Nail root

Definition

The nail root is the part of the nail that is embedded under the skin at the base of the fingernail or toenail, where nail growth begins. It is a critical component of the nail unit, providing the cells necessary for nail formation.

Related terms

Keratin:

A tough, fibrous protein that makes up nails, hair, and the outer layer of skin.

Cuticle: The thin layer of skin at the base of the nail that protects new nails from bacteria when they grow out from the nail root.

Nail Bed:

The skin beneath the nail plate that supports and nourishes it