Location: The stratum corneum is the epidermis’ outermost layer (skin).
Function: Prevents unwanted materials from entering and loss of water from exiting the body.
Location: It is found on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.
Function: Capability of the skin to stretch, degeneration of skin cells, effects of friction in skin
Location: above the stratum spinosum and below the stratum corneum (stratum lucidum on the soles and palms)
Function: Act as a transitional layer where keratinocyte skin cells develop into their final form and die
Location: The stratum spinosum (also known as the spinous layer or prickly cell layer) is an epidermal layer that lies between the stratum granulosum and the stratum basale.
Function: Responsible for skin’s strength and flexibility
Location: The basement membrane (basal lamina) separates the dermis from the lowest layer, which is linked to the basement membrane by hemidesmosomes.
Function: Proliferation and attachment of the epidermis to the dermis
Nail root
Location: The root portion of this nail lies below the skin, underneath the nail, and extends several millimeters into the finger.
Function: The root of the nail is also known as the germinal matrix. Its edge appears as a white crescent, known as the lunula
Nail Folds
Location: The nail fold, the most proximal aspect of the perionychium, is composed of a dorsal roof and a ventral floor. It is found approximately 15 mm distal to the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP).
Function: It keeps the nail in place and protects it as it grows. The fold is connected to the cuticle, which is attached to your nail. Together, the fold and cuticle stop germs from entering your skin. It’s recommended that you avoid cutting or trimming the proximal nail fold.
Eponychium
Location: In human anatomy, the eponychium is the thickened layer of skin at the base of the fingernails and toenails. It can also be called the medial or proximal nail fold.
Function: The cuticle, also known as the eponychium, is an extension of the stratum corneum from the proximal nail fold. It forms a seal that prevents allergens, irritants, and pathogens from entering the potential space between the distal skin of the digit and the nail plate.
Nail bed
Location: The nail bed is the skin underneath the nail plate. It contains blood vessels that supply nutrients to the fingertip.
Function: The nail bed is a specialized structure of the epidermis that is found at the tips of our fingers and toes. The nail body is formed on the nail bed, and protects the tips of our fingers and toes as they are the farthest extremities and the parts of the body that experience the maximum mechanical stress
Nail matrix
Location: The nail matrix is the area where your fingernails and toenails start to grow. The matrix creates new skin cells, which pushes out the old, dead skin cells to make your nails
Function: The nail matrix is the area where your fingernails and toenails start to grow. The matrix creates new skin cells, which pushes out the old, dead skin cells to make your nails.
Lunula
Location: The half-moon shape at the base of your fingernail is known as a lunula. Lunulae cover the bottom of your nail, just above your cuticle. Lunulae are part of your nail matrix. The matrix refers to the tissue just beneath your nail.
Function: The lunula has a primary structural role in defining the free edge of the distal nail plate. Lunular anomalies include changes in form and structure and in color.
Structure of five layers of the skin
Stratum Corneum
Location: The stratum corneum is the epidermis’ outermost layer (skin).
Function: Prevents unwanted materials from entering and loss of water from exiting the body.
Stratum Lucidum
Location: It is found on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.
Function: Capability of the skin to stretch, degeneration of skin cells, effects of friction in skin
Stratum Granulosum
Location: above the stratum spinosum and below the stratum corneum (stratum lucidum on the soles and palms)
Function: Act as a transitional layer where keratinocyte skin cells develop into their final form and die
Stratum Spinosum
Location: The stratum spinosum (also known as the spinous layer or prickly cell layer) is an epidermal layer that lies between the stratum granulosum and the stratum basale.
Function: Responsible for skin’s strength and flexibility
Stratum Basale
Location: The basement membrane (basal lamina) separates the dermis from the lowest layer, which is linked to the basement membrane by hemidesmosomes.
Function: Proliferation and attachment of the epidermis to the dermis
Structure of the nail
Nail Body
Location: Nails
Function: The sensitive tips of fingers and toes are protected by nails.
Free Edge
Location: Nails
Function: this ensures that all the nail bed is covered and therefore protected.
Nail root
Location: The root portion of this nail lies below the skin, underneath the nail, and extends several millimeters into the finger.
Function: The root of the nail is also known as the germinal matrix. Its edge appears as a white crescent, known as the lunula
Nail Folds
Location: The nail fold, the most proximal aspect of the perionychium, is composed of a dorsal roof and a ventral floor. It is found approximately 15 mm distal to the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP).
Function: It keeps the nail in place and protects it as it grows. The fold is connected to the cuticle, which is attached to your nail. Together, the fold and cuticle stop germs from entering your skin. It’s recommended that you avoid cutting or trimming the proximal nail fold.
Eponychium
Location: In human anatomy, the eponychium is the thickened layer of skin at the base of the fingernails and toenails. It can also be called the medial or proximal nail fold.
Function: The cuticle, also known as the eponychium, is an extension of the stratum corneum from the proximal nail fold. It forms a seal that prevents allergens, irritants, and pathogens from entering the potential space between the distal skin of the digit and the nail plate.
Nail bed
Location: The nail bed is the skin underneath the nail plate. It contains blood vessels that supply nutrients to the fingertip.
Function: The nail bed is a specialized structure of the epidermis that is found at the tips of our fingers and toes. The nail body is formed on the nail bed, and protects the tips of our fingers and toes as they are the farthest extremities and the parts of the body that experience the maximum mechanical stress
Nail matrix
Location: The nail matrix is the area where your fingernails and toenails start to grow. The matrix creates new skin cells, which pushes out the old, dead skin cells to make your nails
Function: The nail matrix is the area where your fingernails and toenails start to grow. The matrix creates new skin cells, which pushes out the old, dead skin cells to make your nails.
Lunula
Location: The half-moon shape at the base of your fingernail is known as a lunula. Lunulae cover the bottom of your nail, just above your cuticle. Lunulae are part of your nail matrix. The matrix refers to the tissue just beneath your nail.
Function: The lunula has a primary structural role in defining the free edge of the distal nail plate. Lunular anomalies include changes in form and structure and in color.