Final answer:
Onycholysis refers to the loosening or separation of the nail from the nail bed, often resulting from various health issues. The nail anatomy includes important structures such as the nail plate, nail bed, nail fold, nail cuticle, and nail matrix, which are integral to nail health and growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The separation or loosening of the nail from the nail bed is known as onycholysis. This condition can be a symptom of various health issues, including infections, injury, or systemic diseases. Understanding the nail's anatomy is key to recognizing and addressing onycholysis.
Nail Anatomy Overview
The nail plate or body is the hard, visible part of the nail that provides protection and withstands stress during daily activities. The nail bed lies beneath the nail plate, rich in blood vessels, giving the nail its pink appearance. The free margin is the edge of the nail that extends beyond the finger or toe, and the nail root is embedded deep in the epidermis, responsible for nail growth.
Around the nail, there are several key structures: the nail fold, which holds the nail in place; the nail cuticle or eponychium, a fold of skin at the nail's proximal end that protects the nail matrix; and the hyponychium located beneath the free edge, which is a thickened stratum corneum.
The nail matrix is a critical component as it contains the cells that divide and form the keratinocytes, which produce the hard substance, keratin, that makes up the nail.