Final answer:
The end portion of the nail plate that extends over the fingertip is known as the free edge. It is the part of the nail plate not attached to the underlying nail bed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nail plate (or body) is the prominent and visible part of the nail. The free edge is the part of the nail plate that extends past the finger or toe and is not attached to the underlying nail bed. The nail is a keratinous structure that continues to grow throughout our lives, emanating from the nail matrix deep in the epidermal layer at the proximal end of the nail, which contains the stem cells necessary for this growth. Surrounding the nail plate are other important structures such as the eponychium (commonly known as the cuticle), nail fold, and lunula, each playing a role in the protection and support of the nail itself.