Final answer:
In nail anatomy, the term for living skin that becomes attached to the nail is pterygium. Proper care of nails includes avoiding damage to the nail matrix and cuticle during manicures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The living skin that becomes attached to the nail is referred to as pterygium. This term describes a condition in nail anatomy where the skin adheres to the nail plate, which can be problematic because it can lead to potential damage to the nail integrity. Nails are an accessory structure of the integumentary system, growing from the nail matrix.
The nail matrix contains stem cells that produce keratinocytes, forming the nail plate composed mostly of dead cells. Therefore, when taking care of nails, it's important to avoid cutting the cuticle, as this protects the nail matrix from infection and damage. This informs the best practices during a manicure and overall nail health maintenance.