| nail matrix | The area of the corium on which the nail rests; it is extremely sensitive and presents numerous longitudinal ridges on its surface. According to some anatomists, the nail bed is the portion covered by the body of the nail, the nail matrix being only the part on which the root of the nail rests. Synonym: matrix unguis, keratogenous membrane, nail matrix, onychostroma. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| nail-patella syndrome | <radiology> Fong syndrome, hereditary arthrodysplasia, J.W. Turner syndrome, autosomal dominant Features: abnormal fingernails, absent/hypoplastic patella, defects in radial head, iliac horns (bony processes along posterior surfaces of iliac bones), discoloration of iris (12 Dec 1998) |
| nail pits | Small punctate depressions on the surface of the nail plate due to defective nail formation; seen in psoriasis and other disorders. See: geographic stippling of nails. (05 Mar 2000) |
| nail plate | 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) |
| nail pulse | A capillary pulse seen through the nail. (05 Mar 2000) |
| syndrome, nail-patella | Hereditary dominant condition with abnormally formed (dysplastic) or absent nails and absent or underdeveloped (hypoplastic) kneecaps (patellae). Other features include iliac horns (symmetrical bilateral central posterior iliac processes), abnormality of the elbows interfering with full range of motion (pronation and supination) and kidney disease resembling glomerulonephritis which.is often mild but can be progressive and lead to renal failure. The nail-patella gene locus found linked genetically to the abo blood group in1965 is now known to be in chromosome region 9q34. Also called onychoosteodysplasia, turner-kieser syndrome, and fong disease. (12 Dec 1998) |
| ingrown nail | A toenail, one edge of which is overgrown by the nailfold, producing a pyogenic granuloma; due to faulty trimming of the toenails or pressure from a tight shoe. Synonym: ingrowing toenail, onychocryptosis, onyxis, unguis aduncus, unguis incarnatus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| occult 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) |
| egg shell nail | Thinning of nails resulting in bending and breaking of the free edge, with longitudinal fissures. Synonym: egg shell nail. Origin: hapalo-+ G. Onyx (onych-), nail (05 Mar 2000) |
| tooth-and-nail syndrome | <syndrome> Hypodontia associated with absent or very small nails at birth. Common among Dutch Mennonites in Canada. (05 Mar 2000) |
| twenty-nail dystrophy | Longitudinal ridging of all of the nails; seen in alopecia areata and lichen planus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Kuntscher nail | An intramedullary nail used for internal fixation of a fracture. (05 Mar 2000) |
| lateral border of nail | The sides of the nail extending from the proximal to the free borders. Synonym: margo lateralis unguis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| free border of nail | The distal border of the nail that overhangs the tip of the digit. Synonym: margo liber unguis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fungal nail infection | The most common fungus infection of the nail is onychomycosis. Onychomycosis makes the nails look white and opaque, thickened, and brittle. Older women (perhaps because oestrogen deficiency may increase the risk of infection) and men and women with diabetes or disease of the small blood vessels (peripheral vacscular disease) are at increased risk. Artificial nails (acrylic or wraps ) increase the risk because when an artificial nail is applied, the nail surface is usually abraded with an emery board damaging it, emery boards can carry infection, and water can collect under the nail creating a moist, warm environment for fungal growth. Alternative names include tinea unguium and ringworm of the nails. (12 Dec 1998) |