Structure Of Nails - Function Of Nails - Anatomy Of Nails - Why Do We Have Nails

In this video we discuss the structure of fingernails and toenails. We cover the different parts of nails and how nails grow. We also discuss some of the functions of nails.

Transcript/notes

Nails

Both fingernails and toenails are made up of heavily keratinized epidermal cells. Keratinized cells being cells that were once alive, but filled with the keratin protein as they matured, causing them to lose their organelles and die.

From the top view of a nail, the outermost whiteish part is called the free edge. The next pinkish section is the nail body. It has this pinkish color because of the blood flowing in the capillaries below it. The lighter pink crescent shaped area of the nail is called the lunula. The narrow band of skin that extends onto the nail body is called the cuticle or eponychium, and the nail root which is not visible extends inwards, under the skin towards the palm of the hand.

From the side view we see the sections we just mentioned, the free edge, the nail body, the lunula, the cuticle and the nail root. The nail bed is located here, under the nail body, and it is composed of living cell layers. Toward the palm of the hand, the nail bed thickens to form the nail matrix which is the growing part of the nail. Nails grow by mitosis or cell division from beneath the lunula and root. There is also a thickened part of the skin where the free edge of the nail hangs over called the hyponychium.

Fingernails grow about 3 millimeters per month, and toenails grow about 1 mm per month, and it takes about 6 months for a fingernail to grow from the root to the free edge and 12 to 18 months for a toenail to grow from root to free edge. Both fingernails and toenails grow slightly faster in the summer it is believed that this is caused by more exposure to the sun and typically people are out and about, moving more, thus increasing circulation, producing more rapid nail growth.

Nails help to prevent damage to bones and the underlying soft tissue during certain movements such as kicking, jumping and catching. They also function to help us dig, climb and scratch an itch, and fingernails also help in grasping things.

Timestamps
0:00 Cells of fingernails and toenails
0:14 Structure of nails
1:13 Fingernail and toenail growth
1:41 Functions of nails in the body

[pjijn]

Got curious while I was clipping toe nails taking a poop, very educational 10/10

[brittanypallett]

I can be really impulsive and sometimes when I’ll really upset/not coping I will rip out my nails with a knife as deep as I can (well ripping my nails is one of many things that I do as using pain as a distraction). The other night I completely ripped everything out of one of my toenails (I’m talking from further back than the cuticle). I figured I might as well look into what going on when I use pain to distract myself. I know I probs don’t fall into your target audience but I enjoyed this video and found it informative all the same.

[ggrother]

New from the shift- Nails function as valves for naturally occurring and excess neural fluids/ nails and hair are outlets stress, flooding neural fluids cause distress. Early symptoms of immune system fatigue include anxiety, rashes, acne, , trouble sleeping, headache, and unexplained episodes of illness from infancy into adulthood, We experience the occasional sunburn, maybe suffer a hangover, or lose weight suddenly because of a loss, any stress, and in combinations, long term, are very bad for you, deficits in the bank of your health, Animals constantly lick, nibble, bite, and yank at their paws, Grooming is instinctive holistic behaviour. Regular grooming removes excess nerves/knots of nerves/ any threat to the circulation, and relieves pain Within the family and extended family shared care is a bonding experience. Rough play of many animals and the thorough grooming of newborns, shared grooming of cats, dogs, birds, primates is instinctive behaviour, like nail biting and skin/hair picking. The sense of unease only worsened by others attitudes, however, uniformed of the cause of these 'nervous' habits. Behaviour is a reaction/response of stress. Good nutrition, rest, sleep, Awareness of your triggers that over challenge your immune system will keep you safe and young! Think of these triggers as your kryptonite. Your daily level of physical comfort effects your health/ moods, moods reveal the genuine state of our health Daily self-care, varying sites of attention is essential. Rest for a few mts. between the mad dashes in life. An important goal is to keep the lunula of the nails wide enough across, narrowing nails and fingers to the free edge. Skin should not puff over the sides, covering the nails, at all. Use an arced nail clipper, tip posted away, grazing the skin as you tweeze/ massage, buff away all plaque, /excess calloused skin, especially hands/feet/ wrists, knees, elbows- in circles and spirals changing directions and starting points, massage scalp, neck, face, Address all skin-related problems, and reduce, limit, or eliminate the underlying causes of stress. Skin/nails act as the 'message board', and information regarding overall heath is conveyed by moods, vibe, state of mind, and emotional availability towards family. The Nails primary function is to release/ alleviate swelling/fluids. Peace!

[badkarma]

I finally know!!! Nice video!!! Also my free edge is gone cause I bite my nails

[ariwilson-velderrain]

watching this for my A+P college class! appreciate the shortness!

[saviramahmood]

thanks this video made me understand very quickly!!

[SachaBonello]

Thank you so much i might pursue a career as a nail artist and this video is so helpful to learn about the anatomy about the nail and is easy to write notes about

[soothingrelaxationmusic]

After reading a long chapter, your videos always put things into perspective. Thank you so much!

[karinealfa]

Is awesome! I like it! I am from Brazil.
I will study this video to one test ❤

[ChainBreakingMedia]

We don’t need nails foreskin, so we just need to go to glacier Washington scratched off

[miajade]

Watching this for an anatomy lesson in the course im doing very useful

[SunilKumar-mskz]

My toe nail got completely broken from lunela and now i am sad because it will take mare than a year to get it back😑

[عزالدينالشيخسليمان]

great efforts thanks a lot ! I have heard from other videos that there is a difference between cuticle and eponychium, is that difference should be considerable ?

[andresnovelo]

I feel like fingernails are useless because they just cause problems for me

[asotibeloveth]

Do it contain the 5 layers of the epidermis

[highlyrespectedtv]

My physiology/anatomy teacher had me watch this vid and I must say, very well in keeping the video short and getting right to the point. I really appreciate that because it allows me to finish my work faster without having to watch a 30 minute video on finger nails😂

[AuzzAustin]

I lossed my nail completely 3days ago and very painful. It said 6 months for nail to completely grow back

[tta]

Thanku.so much sir its really useful for me

[mr.alternater]

Why is my nail body is not growing back after I accidently cut my nails too much what happened

[nightflexmovies]

My pinkish nail part is not growing, wht should i do?