Final answer:
The Latin, medical and technical term for nails is 'unguis.' Nails are composed of keratin and serve to protect fingertips, enhance tactile sensation, and assist in manual tasks. They also serve as indicators of health and grow from the base to the tip.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Latin, Medical, and Technical Term for Nails
The Latin, medical and technical term for the nails is unguis. Nails consist of hard keratin, which is a protein that also makes up the hair and the outermost layer of the skin. The primary role of nails is to protect the distal phalanx, the fingertip, and the surrounding soft tissues from injuries. They also serve as tools for picking up objects, scratching an itch, or performing fine manipulations.
Composition and Functions of Nails
Nails are primarily composed of a hardened protein called keratin. Physiologically, nails protect the fingertips, enhance sensation through counter pressure when picking up objects, and aid in the manual dexterity needed for fine tasks. A healthy nail appears pink because of the blood vessels underneath the nail plate. The whitish crescent-shaped area at the base of the nail, known as the lunula, reflects light differently due to the looser structure of keratin there, which partly obscures the underlying blood vessels.
Nail Growth and Health Indicators
Nails grow from the nail matrix, located under the skin behind the nail and extend upwards as they harden. Growth occurs from the proximal end (base) to the distal end (tip), contrary to the false belief that they grow from the distal to the proximal. Nails can serve as indicators of overall health, with changes in nail strength, color, or texture often signaling nutritional deficiencies or underlying health conditions.