Final answer:
Onychorrhexis refers to split nails and is associated with the health of the nail plate and cuticle. The cuticle serves as a protective barrier for nails, and its condition can reveal clues about overall health or indicate potential health risks, including fungal infections and blood flow issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
This condition is characterized by longitudinal ridging or splitting of the nail plate, which can result from various factors such as trauma, aging, or certain underlying health conditions. The nail plate, which is the main keratinous part of the nail, extends over the nail bed, and its health is often reflective of the body's overall well-being. The cuticle, also known as the eponychium, is a fold of epithelium that extends over the nail bed. The cuticle plays a crucial role in protecting the nail matrix, where the nail begins to grow from the nail root, fending off infections by sealing the edges of the nail plate. Any disruption to the cuticle, for instance, by cutting or excessive manicuring, may compromise its protective function and increase the risk of infections. Nail health can indicate various medical conditions. For instance, EMTs look at nail beds for signs of oxygen saturation or blood flow which are indicated by their color and responsiveness. Furthermore, fungal infections, common in toenails due to less blood flow and moist environments from being confined in shoes, can lead to thickened and yellow nails. Products like adhesives, acrylics, and UV gels applied to nails that contain toxic chemicals such as dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, and formaldehyde, may penetrate the nail and pose health risks.