| root of nail | The proximal end of the nail, concealed under a fold of skin. Synonym: radix unguis. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| wall of nail | The fold of skin overlapping the lateral and proximal margins of the nail. Synonym: vallum unguis, wall of nail. (05 Mar 2000) |
| pincer nail | Transverse overcurvature of the nail that increases distally, causing the lateral borders of the nail to pinch the soft tissue with resulting tenderness; may result from a developmental anomaly or subungual exostosis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cornified layer of nail | The outer, horny layer of the nail. Synonym: cornified layer of nail, horny layer of nail. (05 Mar 2000) |
| crests of nail bed | The numerous longitudinal ridges of the nail bed distal to the lunula. Synonym: cristae matricis unguis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cuticle of nail | The exposed distal prolongation of the corneal layer of the deep surface of the proximal nail fold (eponychium), seen as a thin "skin" overlapping and adherent to the body of the nail at its proximal portion (the area of the lunula). It is formed as a remnant of the eponychium which otherwise degenerates by the eighth month of pregnancy. (05 Mar 2000) |
| half and half nail | Division of the nail by a transverse line into a proximal dull white part and a distal pink or brown part; seen in uraemia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| proximal border of nail | The proximal border of the nail entirely covered by the nail wall. Synonym: margo occultus unguis, occult border of nail. (05 Mar 2000) |
| hidden nail skin | 1. The thin, condensed, eleidin-rich layer of epidermis which procedes and initially covers the nail plate in the embryo. It normally degenerates by the eighth month except at the nail base where it remains as the cuticle of the nail. 2. The corneal layer of epidermis overlapping and in direct contact with the nail root proximally or the sides of the nail plate laterally, forming the undersurface of the nail wall or nail folds of nail. Synonym: hidden nail skin, perionychium. 3. The thin skin adherent to the nail at its proximal portion. Synonym: epionychium. Origin: G. Epi, upon, + onyx (onych-), nail (05 Mar 2000) |
| horny layer of nail | The outer, horny layer of the nail. Synonym: cornified layer of nail, horny layer of nail. (05 Mar 2000) |
| shell nail | Bronchiectasis with excessive longitudinal curvature of the nail plate and atrophy of the nail bed and underlying bone. (05 Mar 2000) |
| sinus of nail | sinus unguis |
| Smith-Petersen nail | A flanged nail for pinning a fracture of the neck of the femur. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spoon nail | <clinical sign> Dystrophy of the fingernails, sometimes associated with iron deficiency anaemia, in which they are thin and concave, with the edges raises. Synonym: spoon nail. (15 Nov 1997) |
| nail | 1. <anatomy> The horny scale of plate of epidermis at the end of the fingers and toes of man and many apes. "His nayles like a briddes claws were." (Chaucer) The nails are strictly homologous with hoofs and claws. When compressed, curved, and pointed, they are called talons or claws, and the animal bearing them is said to be unguiculate; when they incase the extremities of the digits they are called hoofs, and the animal is ungulate. 2. <ornithology, zoology> The basal thickened portion of the anterior wings of certain hemiptera. The terminal horny plate on the beak of ducks, and other allied birds. 3. A slender, pointed piece of metal, usually with a head, used for fastening pieces of wood or other material together, by being driven into or through them. The different sorts of nails are named either from the use to which they are applied, from their shape, from their size, or from some other characteristic, as shingle, floor, ship-carpenters', and horseshoe nails, roseheads, diamonds, fourpenny, tenpenny (see Penny), chiselpointed, cut, wrought, or wire nails, etc. 4. A measure of length, being two inches and a quarter, or the sixteenth of a yard. Nail ball, a round projectile with an iron bolt protruding to prevent it from turning in the gun. Nail plate, iron in plates from which cut nails are made. On the nail, in hand; on the spot; immediately; without delay or time of credit; as, to pay money on the nail. "You shall have ten thousand pounds on the nail." . To hit the nail on the head, to hit most effectively; to do or say a thing in the right way. Origin: AS. Naegel, akin to D. Nagel, OS OHG. Nagal, G. Nagel, Icel. Nagl, nail (in sense 1), nagli nail (in sense 3), Sw. Nagel nail (in senses 1 and 3), Dan. Nagle, Goth. Ganagljan to nail, Lith. Nagas nail (in sense 1), Russ. Nogote, L. Unguis, Gr, Skr. Nakha. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |