The structure of the nail plate on the upper and lower extremities is absolutely the same. Although a rather narrow circle of people are interested in how it works, everyone needs to know about this important part of our body. This will help you not only learn how to do a manicure and pedicure correctly, but also keep your nails healthy.
The nail is a regularly renewed tissue that helps protect the phalanges of the fingers from various damages. The feet and hands are quite vulnerable, which is why they need additional protection, the role of which is played by nails.
The nail plate on the fingers helps to perform labor-intensive, precise and delicate work. Toenails serve more to protect the fingers from various types of damage. In addition, they are a kind of shield that hides the nerve endings located in the fingertips. And, of course, this is an indicator of the health of the human body, because by the way they look one can draw conclusions about existing health problems. That is why a person needs to know why he needs nails and how they are arranged.
In the modern world, the nail plate has begun to perform not only its main functions, but also aesthetic ones. A beautiful manicure and pedicure is an integral part of the fair sex, besides, half of the male population believes that nails should always be well-groomed and beautiful.
Knowing how they are structured and what their growth depends on will help you not only learn how to properly care for your nails, but also use it as an indicator of your own health and the health of the plates themselves as a whole.
Main parts of the nail plate
Nails are a keratinized area of the epidermis with a plate-like structure. Unusually, they have no nerve endings and are not particularly living tissue; despite such unique features, they grow quite quickly. In addition, they are an indicator of the general internal state of the body, and if an experienced doctor looks at them, he will be able to tell what problems there are in the body, and which organ is functioning incorrectly.
To learn to understand the body’s signals and determine when nails need treatment or proper care, you need to know not only why they are needed, but also understand their structure.
The very first and largest part of the nails is their plate. It is responsible for the protective function of the upper flanks of the fingers. In addition, it makes them less sensitive to external influences. The area of the epidermis located under the nail is called the bed. The visible part of the plate is called the body. Experts give names to even its most insignificant elements. The horny area protruding beyond the pad of the phalanx of the finger is called the free edge; the layer of epidermis separating the nail bed and this edge is called the hyponychium.
The root is that part of the plate that is hidden by the folds of the epidermis at the base. The skin concentrated around the plate also has appropriate names and protects the nails from mechanical damage. The skin areas located on the sides of the nail are called lateral ridges, and the area that is located next to the base is called the back ridge. Damage to these areas of the epidermis leads to the appearance of hangnails, which must be carefully removed and the damaged areas treated with an antiseptic.
Many people mark a small root area on the plate that is shaped like a crescent moon. It has a light shade and differs from the rest of the plate. Thanks to this unusual shape, this area is called a lunula.
We must not forget about such an important area of the plate as the nail sinus. It is a depression located between the lateral skin ridges and the bed. When performing manicure and pedicure, the specialist pays special attention to this area, since deposits from the skin ridges and the plate itself are concentrated there.
Healthy nails must have a cuticle, although many manicurists consider it useless and try to remove it during the procedure. It is represented by a narrow area of thin epidermis located next to the nail base. This area and the posterior ridge connect the eponychium. As the nail grows, the cuticle pulls this area along with it so that it acts as a protection for the matrix against infections.
I would like to note that caring for the skin ridges and cuticles is very important, since injury to them can lead to the structure of the nail changing and infection getting into the unprotected part of the plate. Improper care and constant defects in these areas can lead to nails changing color and becoming uneven. It is necessary to treat these two areas with special nourishing and moisturizing balms that will not only protect the skin, but also strengthen the nail plate.
The structure of the nail is quite complex and therefore includes many different elements, which include the matrix. This zone is germinal and consists of epithelial cells. It is in it that cells are born - onychoblasts, which first grow, and then the process of division and keratinization begins, that is, the formation of the nail plate occurs. The nutrient medium for the cells is provided by the capillary network. There are a lot of nerve endings in the matrix area, which gives the area below the cuticle such sensitivity. During the formation of nails, onychoblastic cells push creatine cells, which promotes their growth.
The chemical components of the plate are quite diverse and complex. The main element that makes up the nail plate is creatine. It is a protein whose density characteristics depend on the percentage of sulfur molecules in it. The more there are, the stronger and stronger the nails will be. Unfortunately, the strength of the nail plate is a hereditary factor, so it is unlikely that it will be possible to strengthen nails with the help of cosmetic varnishes and enamels.
Under a microscope, creatine molecules look like layered compounds impregnated with liquid or fatty components. It is thanks to them that our nails look shiny and have high elasticity. But even a naturally strong nail plate will deteriorate if you work with various chemicals without gloves.
It is necessary to take into account that nails are formed at the moment when the embryo is in the uterus, so it is very important that the expectant mother’s diet is balanced and has the right amount of minerals and vitamins.
To keep them healthy and well-groomed as adults, they require careful care. This applies not only to fingernails, but also toenails. A neat pedicure is not only beautiful but also hygienic. Long toenails look untidy and can also cause fungus.
Therefore, it is very important to do manicures and pedicures on time, as well as monitor the health of your nails in order to avoid unpleasant consequences, and information about the structure of the nail plate will help you with this.
Thousands of people get manicures every day, and approximately the same number of people experience nail diseases. Few people know that their condition depends on their structure. The structure of the nail and nail plate is the same for all people, but this does not mean that the condition of the manicure depends only on hereditary factors. Even the most naturally beautiful fingers will look unhealthy if not properly cared for. Structure of the nail and nail plate
Structure of the nail and nail plate
1. Nail plate
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1a - Dorsal layer (protective) - keratinized keratin;
1b - Intermediate layer - soft keratin;
1c - Ventral layer - keratin of the nail bed.
Important! The supply of nutrients and oxygen to the nail plate is 90% due to internal nutrition. The nail receives the remaining 10% from the outside, and most of it comes from oxygen. Continuous wearing of artificial nails and gel coatings blocks the access of oxygen from the outside. As a result, the nail, experiencing oxygen starvation, begins to move away from the nail bed. The bed itself thickens, and voids form between it and the plate. There is even a risk of losing a nail. To prevent this from happening, take short breaks from painting your nails, or at least do not overuse this procedure. Once every two weeks is the minimum acceptable interval between staining.
By height
Of course, the rapid growth of nails depends on many factors, most of which can be influenced by everyone, but what cannot be changed can always be adjusted in your favor. You just need to know how, when and, most importantly, what to do in each specific case.
The nail is a special kind of horny, hard, lamellar and usually dorsal convex formation on the skin of the tips of the fingers or toes, the growth of which occurs from a bag-like depression of the upper layer of skin (epidermis) on the dorsum of the fingers or toes. The nail and its surrounding tissue, including the tips of the fingers and toes, form a functional structure in the form of a tactile and tactile organ, the functioning of which is significantly impaired in the absence of nails. The aesthetic appeal of the hand and foot is largely determined by healthy and well-groomed nails.
Nail formation occurs in the nail root (matrix), a specialized tissue that occupies the lower part of the nail capsule from the proximal end to the “socket” (Fig. 4). The area of the nail matrix is adjacent to the nail bed, located further from the body (distal), the transformed layer of the dermis (layer corium), with which the lower surface of the nail plate with longitudinal ridges to the hyponychium firmly fuses. Hyponychium is the dorsal portion of the epidermis between the nail bed and the tip of the toe (or, accordingly, the pad of the finger). The areas of the skin fold that cover the nail proximally and laterally are called the nail fold (peryonychium). The crescent-shaped posterior part of the nail with the root section (matrix section) located below, covering the dorsal peronychium, forms an epithelial skin that is loosely adjacent to the surface of the nail and is called the nail skin (cuticle).
The surface of the nail plate in its natural (physiological) form, thanks to the transparent tiny blood vessels of the dermis (corial capillaries), has a soft pink color. Only the crescent-shaped “hole” area, approximately 1-3 mm thick, located under the cuticle, appears whitish. The reason for the lighter color of the “socket” is considered to be a stronger activity of cell division (mitotic activity) in this area, the formation of intracellular keratohyalin, a weaker supply of capillaries or a more loose arrangement of the fibers of the underlying connective tissue. The surface dimensions and thickness of the nails vary significantly depending on the age, individual characteristics of the person and location on different toes and fingers. The length-width ratio for the freely lying lobe of the nail plate adjacent to the nail bed is approximately 1 (0.9-1.1) for people of the white race.
Histologically, one can distinguish the products of differentiation of the nail matrix, the nail plate itself, an upper layer of flatter, denser, layered and highly elongated cells (the upper part of the nail plate or “dorsal nail”) and a thicker inner layer with a large number of cubic cells (the lower part of the nail plate). plates or “intermediate nail”), which also clearly differ in their histochemical and electron-optical properties (see Fig. 4).
The layered structure of the nail with a stiffer upper and more elastic lower section provides favorable mechanical properties. The free part of the nail on the lower side is firmly adjacent to the third layer, which represents the differentiation product of hyponychium and which, in the presence of pathological processes, can greatly grow (hypertrophy) (hyponychial keratin or “ventral nail”). Hyponychial keratin consists of polyhedral anucleate cells, located more freely and randomly than in the nail plate. Also in the area of the nail bed, the keratin formed by this zone joins the nail plate itself.
The rate of nail growth, i.e. elongation of the free edge depends on the rate of formation of new cells in the nail root (matrix). The cells of the matrix are transformed (differentiated), in contrast to the mechanism of keratinization of the upper layer of the skin (epidermis) without the keratohyaline stage, into the previously described lamellar horny structures, the cells of which still contain remnants of the nucleus.
The process described is referred to as Onychisation or nail formation. This “keratinization” is an unhealthy (pathological) process that is the opposite of the normal course of keratinization in the epidermis. Cells are pushed passively away from the body (distal direction).
The nail grows continuously throughout life, unless it is prevented by painful or traumatic effects (damage). Moreover, the growth rate decreases with age. Toenails grow at a rate of approximately 1 mm. per month, and the toenail plate grows completely in 12-18 months. The nails of different toes on the same foot grow at different rates; the nails on the big toes grow the slowest. Nails grow faster in children, and in young women they grow faster than in young men, but after 40 years this ratio changes. Nails grow faster during the day than at night. In cold climates, nails grow more slowly. The rate of nail growth increases during pregnancy, with injuries, and after surgical removal of the nail. Poor nutrition and many common diseases slow down nail growth.
Leukonychia is a change in the color of the nail, in which it turns white.
Onycholysis - separation of the nail plate from the nail bed
Hapalonychia (“egg-shell nail”) - a decrease in the thickness of the nail (normally the thickness of the nail plate on the legs is about 1 mm.)
Pachyonychia - thickening of the nail plate
Onychogryphosis is a change in the color and thickness of the nail plate, curved in the form of a beak.
Koilonychia is a spoon-shaped change in the shape of the nail plate.
Nail bed hyperkeratosis is a thickening of the nail bed itself. Most often, this is a response to inflammation (fungal).
Onychorrhexis is a longitudinal splitting of the nail plate.
Onychoschisis is a transverse splitting of the nail plate.
Onychomadesis is the complete loss of the nail plate.
Pterygium is a growth of eponychium extending onto the nail plate in the form of a “chicken wing”.
Paronychia is purulent inflammation of the proximal nail fold.
Onychomycosis is a fungal disease of the nails.
Dr. Norbert Scholz. Illustrated atlas on podology
Natural nails can already be considered a rarity, because most people regularly extend them, cover them with gel polish, do bio-reinforcement or perform other manipulations. And in order for all these actions to be performed correctly, the manicurist must know the anatomy of the nail. After all, the nail performs an important protective function, and is not only a field for design.
Nails are horny plates on the back surface of the ends of the fingers. The nail has a free edge, and the other three sides are limited by ridges: posterior and lateral lateral. The thickness of the nail is less than 0.5 mm, but usually not less than 0.3 mm.
Anatomical structure of the nail:
The nail folds the nail sinuses at the junction with the nail plate . When doing nail extensions, the technician needs to pay special attention to these areas, since it is there that acrylates (esters of acrylic acid or its salts) begin to come off most quickly.
The root of the nail is located under the posterior ridge.
The nail socket is the visible part of the nail root that protrudes from under the nail fold as a whitish, crescent-shaped area.
The eponychium is the living skin at the base of the nail plate. Although most people mistakenly consider it a cuticle. As the nail plate grows, it detaches the lower layer of skin from under the eponychium and, as it were, drags it along with it. Dead tissue moves to the surface of the growing nail from under the roll of living skin. This thin layer of skin is the cuticle . The eponychium serves as protection for the nail root and its growth zone. It is formed due to the germ layer of the epidermis. The back ridge partially dries out and becomes part of the nail plate and grows slightly over the nail.
The part of the cuticle that grows along the length of the nail, sometimes occupying almost half of it, is called pterygium . It interferes with the application of coating to the nails and gives them an unesthetic appearance. Therefore, it must be removed with a milling cutter or cut off with a special tool.
The nail plate is the result of matrix cell division. This is the germ part of the nail, which is closely connected to the root. The matrix and the nail root do not have a clear transition boundary. At the same time, the matrix belongs to the germ layer of the epithelium, and the nail itself constitutes the stratum corneum.
The matrix originates from the nail bed - hyponychium . Onychoblasts are matrix cells that continuously and very quickly divide and turn into horny plates of the nail, lengthening and thickening it. The matrix cells are very well equipped with blood vessels and nerve endings. It is the condition of the matrix that determines the quality of the nail plate, its thickness, length, growth rate and structure. If anything happens to the matrix, it is immediately reflected on the nail plate.
The bridle of the nail performs a fixing function. She keeps the nail in place. The frenulum is formed thanks to the collagen fibers of the hyponychium, which are located towards the phalanx and connect there with the periosteum. The hyponychium reaches the free edge of the nail, turning into a fold of skin under the edge of the nail.
Chemical composition of natural nail and its physiology
The basis of the nail plate is keratin - a protein. Keratin is a complex protein and at the same time one of the strongest proteins in living nature, which contains sulfur. The chemical composition of the nail includes calcium, phosphorus, zinc and, not surprisingly, arsenic. Another interesting thing is that nails contain a fat-like substance - cholesterol.
The physical and chemical aspects of the functioning of the nail are directly related to the work of the manicurist. For example, you need to know that nails absorb water well. They absorb various oils and fats even better, even better than skin does. On the one hand, this is useful to know when treating and restoring a nail, and on the other hand, it directly affects the adhesion of the nail plate to coatings.
Nails are completely dependent on the skin. If it is oily, then your nails may suffer from the same problem; if it is too dry, the same applies. Being in a warm and humid environment, they increase in size. Cold and dryness cause the nail plate to shrink in size.
Such properties must be taken into account when choosing a composition for coating the nail. The nail changes its characteristics and even its size, which means the coating should be moderately elastic, but at the same time remain dense. Modern coatings are approximately 20 times stronger than the nail plate.
Many people are concerned about the appearance of transverse grooves or white granular spots (leukonychia) on the nail plate. All this is connected with the matrix and especially the impact on it, its traumatic nature. The spots indicate that the process of keratinization of cells has been disrupted. This may be due to metabolic disorders. If there are a lot of such spots on the nails, it would be a good idea to seek advice from a dermatologist and therapist, and then, if necessary, to more specialized specialists.
The growth patterns of the nail plate are as follows: it will completely change only after 3-4 months. Therefore, when restoring and treating a nail, you cannot expect quick results. It’s a shame, but men’s nails grow faster than women’s. During the cold season, the growth process slows down.
Interaction of the nail with artificial coating
The nail itself is a fairly strong structure capable of self-healing. Many people are interested in the question: “Will it harm your own nails when coated with different products? What is the threat and is it worth worrying about?”
The most vulnerable structure of the nail is the matrix. It is its damage that should be feared in the first place, because this can lead to a deterioration in the condition of the entire nail. The matrix is a rather capricious thing that reacts to any changes in the body (increase in temperature, vibration, blood circulation) and in the environment. The nutrients and oxygen that blood flow brings are very important for the matrix.
Division is the main function of the matrix. At the same time, after division, the mother cell prepares for the next one, and the new cell is gradually saturated with keratin and pushes its predecessors forward so that they form the nail plate, due to this the nail grows. Matrix cells form the nail socket. As they exist, the matrix cells that move forward contain more and more keratin.
The life of nails is not easy; they take on both chemical and mechanical influences. The free edge of the nail is especially susceptible to various impacts. The nail plate is constantly forced to withstand the external environment. Many people think that nail covering only brings additional stress to the nails, “nails don’t breathe” and so on.
An acrylic or gel coating eliminates the need for the nail to withstand environmental factors, that is, it protects the nail from external influences. At the same time, the horn cells that form the nail do not need direct contact with air (“breathing”), because the entire structure of the nail receives oxygen and other nutrients solely through blood circulation. Whether there is a coating on the nails or whether they are natural does not matter if there are disturbances in the local blood circulation and the condition of the skin of the hands. But in the first case, at least scratches, detergents and other negative influences will destroy the varnish, gel or acrylic, and not the nail itself.
Masters and clients note that the nail plate becomes stronger and smoother, and nails grow faster with regular gel manicures. Of course, there is also a reverse trend. But it is typical only if the procedure for removing the gel is violated or the nail plate is damaged by the master. For example, when during a hardware manicure a cutter is used to cut off not only the gel, but also the layer of the nail plate. Or when they do a manicure “under the cuticle,” exceeding the permissible load on the nail root and thereby damaging the matrix.
A natural nail is a full-fledged biological structure that has its own laws of functioning and regulates itself. This does not mean that any interference is harmful, but it does mean that it can become so if you do not know how the system works. Therefore, the main principle, as in any area of personal care, is beauty = health.
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The biological function of nails is protective.
Nails on the fingers and toes protect the fingers from mechanical stress. Fingernails, when long enough, allow a person to manipulate smaller objects during any work.
Like the hair shaft, the nail plate of the nail is not living tissue . The nail plate does not have nerve endings or blood vessels, and it does not have in its structure a means of delivering nutrients to the cells of an already formed (grown) nail.
That is, our body is not able to change a nail that has already grown and formed. Our body can only affect newly growing nails.
The nail consists of a partially visible nail plate and nail root.
The nail plate is the visible outer part of the nail, consisting mainly of keratin , between the plates of which lipid layers and water molecules are located. On three sides, the nail plate goes inside the skin, and on the side of the fingertip it has a free growing tip, which in everyday life we call a nail. The nail plate consists of 100-150 layers of keratin, and has a thickness of 0.3 - 0.5 mm.
The nail plate consists of the following elements:
The nail root is the back part of the nail plate, which goes under the skin ( proximal ridge ). The root of the nail lies at the back of the nail bed and is called the matrix .
The matrix is, by analogy with the structure of hair, a kind of bulb. From the matrix, a visible nail plate begins to form and grow. In the matrix, the cells of the future nail are formed from a type of protein - keratin . New cells formed in the matrix push the dead cells forward, and as a result, the nail grows.
The lunula is the visible part of the matrix that is crescent-shaped and lighter in color (almost white) than the main nail. This is actually a transition zone of still living tissue of the nail plate into keratinized tissue.
The cuticle (eponychium) is a dense roller of skin cells that surrounds the nail plate at the base of the nail and fits tightly to it. The main function of this area of the nail is to protect the matrix from the penetration of bacteria and foreign bodies.
The nail bed is the layer of connective tissue on which the nail plate is formed. It is densely covered with blood vessels, has many nerve endings and is attached to the nail plate through a thin layer of tissue - bed epithelial tissue .
Hyponychium is the lowest layer of the nail plate, in the form of a layer between the nail plate itself and the nail bed. The hyponychium is formed by the epidermis layer and consists of basal and spinous cells.
Let us trace the life path of one nail cell from its inception stage to its final formation in the nail plate.
New nail cells are formed at the root of the nail - in the matrix.
So, in the process of cell division in the matrix , two new cells are formed, called onychoblasts . The onychoblast mother cell, which has divided, remains in the matrix structure, and the identical cell formed from it appears above it, in the second row. Then the process is repeated, and the onychoblast cell remaining in the matrix divides again, forming another row of cells identical to itself. And so on.
The new row of cells formed pushes forward the row of cells formed earlier, and thus the cells move from the matrix towards the tip of the nail plate. The process of formation of new onychoblast cells occurs continuously, and due to this the nail plate grows.
New onychoblast cells, formed from maternal matrix cells, immediately after formation are spherical in shape and white in color. The accumulation of these cells in the nail root zone gives the lunula . As soon as cells are born, they begin to synthesize a protein - keratin . And as the cells move from the matrix towards the tip of the nail, a number of changes occur in them, as a result of which the cell changes its shape, content and color. From a white spherical cell, it turns into a translucent cell, shaped like a gear. The protuberances on a cell that give it a gear-like shape are called desmosomes .
Desmosomes are a type of intercellular contacts that provide a strong connection between cells. In the figure: 2 - desmosomes, 1 - keratin intermediate filaments (connections)
As they grow older and move towards the tip of the nail, the cells are almost completely filled with the protein keratin and turn into dead (keratinized) cells of the nail plate, held together by a layer of special fatty tissue - lipids.
The process of nail growth in a person begins in the womb and does not stop throughout his life.
It takes about 8 months for a nail to grow 2.5 centimeters. For comparison, hair grows 10 centimeters during the same time.
Keratin is a type of protein that is synthesized in the human body. Keratin differs from other proteins in the structure of its framework, which gives it special mechanical strength. Like other proteins, keratin is synthesized on the basis of amino acids.
A change in the appearance of the nail plate can signal functional disorders of various organs and processes occurring in the human body.
Of course, you cannot diagnose yourself by the appearance of your nails, but the painful appearance of your nails can serve as a signal that you need to pay attention to your health.
Let's look at typical nail plate disorders and possible diseases that could cause this:
“Why did fate give us nails and not claws?”
The nail is a horny formation (horny plate), similar in origin to the outer layer of skin and hair, as well as to the claws and hooves of animals. Nails are located in the nail bed, where nail growth occurs. In adults, the average length of nails is 1.5 cm, thickness is 0.75 mm on the hands and 1 mm on the feet. The nail is divided into a root, which is located in the nail fissure, a body and a free edge, which protrudes beyond the boundaries of the nail bed. The nail root, hidden under the skin, makes up 30% of the total length of the nail. The nail bed contains a large number of blood vessels that nourish it and create its healthy pink color. The folds of skin that border the nail at the side of the root and at the back are called ridges. Nail growth begins with a matrix, the continuation of which is a white, crescent-shaped formation - the lunula. In the nail matrix, keratinocytes (one of the types of skin cells) thicken and become smooth and flat, thus promoting the formation of the nail plate. The cuticle firmly connects the skin fold of the nail with the nail plate at the base of the nail and the nail plate with the nail bed in the area of the free edge of the nail. The cuticle protects the nail bed and matrix from any infection.
Nails are a hard shell to protect the delicate fingertips, with which we grasp various objects and physically feel the bodies around us. Nails allow us to pick up something; if the object is small, then without such hard formations it is difficult to grasp it at all. In addition, everyone is obviously aware of the possibilities of scratching or scratching of nails.
In Central Asia and Persia it was believed that the soul was in the nails. Therefore, cut nails were buried in the ground and burned so that they would not fall into the hands of witches and would not be used for conspiracies and witchcraft. There were a number of customs when it was generally forbidden to trim nails at certain times of the year, month, or week. For example, the ancient Slavs imposed restrictions on shepherds - not to cut hair and nails, not even to make love while shepherding, observing chastity. It is known that the total length of nails trimmed over a lifetime in men reaches 3.9 m, and in women - 4.3 m.
Nails grow at a rate of 0.15 mm per day, depending on the age and health of the person. It is not difficult to calculate that nails on the hands are renewed every three months, and on the feet - every 4.5 months. Consequently, in a year a person changes only 65 nails, and over the course of a lifetime, a man changes 4,700 nails, and a woman. - 5200. With a daily growth of 0.15 mm, nails will grow by 4.5 mm in a month, and by 5.4 cm in a year. Nails grow worse during pregnancy and recovery from any damage. In addition, the nails on the right hand (and, for a left-handed person, on the left) grow faster. This is obviously related to the frequency of using your hands. The fetus's nails grow to the fingertips only towards the end of the mother's pregnancy, so their length is used to judge whether the fetus is full-term. In adults, nails grow quickly, but in old age, nail growth slows down. Nails grow faster on long fingers (middle, ring, index), and growth occurs more intensively during the day compared to night, in the morning compared to the second half of the day, and also in the warm season compared to the cold. In addition, the growth rate of fingernails is half as fast as that of toenails.
For a person who would refuse to cut his nails, their growth would still not become endless, since nails, having reached a certain length, stop growing. The Guinness Book of Records records record long nails: measuring 5 nails of the left hand of Sridhar Chillal from India at the end of March 1997 showed that their total length was 6.12 m. At the same time, the thumbnail accounted for 1.40 m, index nail - 1.09, middle - 1.17, ring finger - 1.28, little finger - 1.22 m. The last time Chillal cut his nails was in 1952.
The shape of the nail varies. Obviously, not without reason, L.N. Tolstoy endowed the elegant Missy Korchagina with a wide nail (on her thumb), reminiscent of the same nail of her father, a cruel and very unpleasant man. In those days they did not yet know, but now it has already been precisely established that the shape of the nails is connected both with the hormonal activity of the body and with the structure of the final phalanx of the fingers, as well as with whether the owner is engaged in physical labor or not. In addition to gender, the shape of nails is also influenced by the predominance of the side of the body (right-handed or left-handed) and the diseases the person has suffered.
In the Ancient East it was believed that each nail was directly related to some organ. For example, the thumb is connected to the brain, the index finger is responsible for the functions of the lungs and respiratory system, the middle finger reflects the condition of the intestines, the ring finger talks about the kidneys, and the little finger gives an idea of problems in the heart and cardiovascular system as a whole.
The state of health is indicated not only by the shape and structure of the nails, but also by their color. Pink, shiny, smooth nails that perfectly match the shape of your finger are a sign of absolute health. In those suffering from heart disease, they are unnaturally pale or bluish. If only the nail hole turns pale, this is a sign of anemia. But whitish, so-called opal-colored nails indicate serious liver problems. Yellow nails also indicate problems with the liver. However, it is possible that their owner (or owner) smokes, or works with chemicals, or uses low-quality acetone-based nail polish remover. Nails can also react to certain medications. For example, after long-term treatment with antibiotics, yellow-brown stains are often visible on them. Nails can become dark brown as a result of X-ray exposure of the fingers, or due to Addison's disease. With diabetic thrombosis of the arteries of the upper extremities, the nails may take on a mournful black tint.
Damage to the nail bed caused by pyogenic bacteria, usually penetrating through hangnails, is called paronychia. The disease can be treated with antifungal ointments. The effect of treatment is enhanced by a balanced intake of vitamins and minerals. Patients with diabetes, as well as those suffering from diseases caused by a deficiency of a number of minerals, people whose hands often come into contact with water: dishwashers, bartenders, nurses are predisposed to paronychia. To avoid this problem, always use rubber gloves when washing dishes.
Thin, spoon-shaped (concave) nails, especially on the big toe, indicate a lack of zinc and iron in the diet. Because of this, they often become brittle and pale. Getting iron into the body will help cope with iron deficiency anemia and improve overall health, including nails. Valuable sources of iron are red meat (lamb and beef), fish, poultry, and green leafy vegetables. Since vitamin C helps in the absorption of iron found in plant foods, try drinking fruit juices with meals instead of strong tea, as the tannin present in it interferes with the absorption of iron.
Brittle, brittle nails and frequent infections of the skin around them usually indicate a lack of zinc in the diet. Eat foods rich in zinc - seafood, eggs, meat, nuts, legumes. A deficiency of selenium can lead to the appearance of wide ridges or scars on the surface of the nails, and an excess can lead to their blackening. Seafood is rich in selenium, as well as brewer's yeast, bread and cereal products.
Many people believe that calcium-rich foods will make their nails strong and healthy. In fact, this chemical element plays far from the main role in strengthening nails. The appearance of small white spots on the nails, which was previously attributed to calcium deficiency, is now considered to be the result of a bruise, excessive manicure or, in rare cases, the result of a lack of zinc in the body.
Nails with kidney disease are striped, covered with white and brown transverse stripes. Medicines containing silver, arsenic, mercury, phenolphthalein, iron, as well as antimalarial drugs and tetracycline antibiotics can also color the nails of patients in different colors.
Like hair loss, brittle nails are the first sign of a malfunction of the thyroid gland, and in some cases, an indicator of disturbances in the menstrual cycle and ovarian function.
In case of pulmonary diseases, including chronic ones, the central part of the nail is convex; in case of anemia, the opposite is true. If numerous pinpoint depressions appear on its surface, it is possible that this is the initial stage of psoriasis. Infectious diseases such as measles, jaundice, rubella can leave imprints in the form of transverse grooves not only on the skin, but also on the nails. They are usually localized on the thumb, index or middle fingers. Longitudinal grooves indicate difficulties with the intestines or pancreas.
The shape of the nail plate can also be used to judge a person’s character. There is even an ancient fortune telling by nails - onychomancy. Long nails are attributed to people who are thoughtful, slow, and distrustful, while short nails are attributed to people who are logical, prone to control and criticism. The shortest are supposedly among the hot-tempered and irreconcilable. Some people carefully grow them for prestige. Others, usually easily excitable and unbalanced, on the contrary, bite. Thus, those with short nails occupy leadership positions and are prone to leadership. They are distinguished by self-confidence, a methodical approach to all life situations, and absolute argumentation of their point of view in disputes. At the same time, they are accustomed to conflicts in the family, with friends and at work. Those whose nail plates are wide and very short are uncooperative and tend to be lonely. They do not shine with a sharp mind, but are very persistent and hardworking. Wide nail plates of medium length show that we have kind, gentle and sentimental personalities. Their career growth is not very successful, but their team loves them.
Curled, hooked nails indicate that a person is tight-fisted, even greedy. He is too economical not only in relation to himself, but also to his family, meticulous and efficient, which helps him occupy positions close to management. The Ural Cossacks, according to Dahl, suspected Pushkin of the Antichrist, because they could “see” claws on his fingers instead of nails. In humans, indeed, the nail has replaced such a weapon as a claw. Another thing is that the great poet actually had an extravagant horny growth (long nail) on his little finger and protected this distinctive sign of a Mason with a special case.
Shovel-shaped, strong nails indicate that their owner’s mind and logic clearly prevail over emotions. Such a person is a born materialist who prefers practical knowledge about life to any intuitive guesses. Any work that he undertakes or makes his life’s work will be honed to the smallest detail, to perfection.
Angular or quadrangular shape of nails is a sign of a person prone to philosophical thinking. And not only in the field of art, literature and other humanities. The sphere of exact numbers and calculations may also be available to him. The most important thing is that such a person unmistakably sees harmonious logical connections in everything, precise and natural. A similar shape of nails can also speak of a powerful person, capable of being a leader, rising above the crowd, and being the first to make the only right decision in an extreme situation. However, his weak point is his own inner world. A person with square-shaped nails is simply lost when it comes to tracking his feelings, emotions, complexes, and motives for his actions. At the same time, he perfectly “sorts out” the internal self of another person and never makes a mistake, but as soon as it comes to himself, the unmistakable and cold logic fails.
A pointed or conical shape of a nail may indicate the owner’s penchant for painting, architecture, sculpting and other plastic arts. These are artistic natures, natural romantics, dreamers, accustomed to somewhat embellish reality, and therefore - optimists who see the light through rose-colored glasses. They can easily get carried away by a business, person or idea, but it is also easy to cool down and switch to something more interesting and new. Especially if their previous hobby requires perseverance and focused effort. In other words, such a person is captivated by what “comes naturally” and does not require perseverance, perseverance, or patience. Another feature is independence both in the sphere of personal and social relations. Material goods leave them completely indifferent. This, of course, is not asceticism, but these benefits are perceived rather as a given, and not as an end in itself in life.
According to the pre-Islamic ideas of the farmers of the Western Pamirs, Adam and Eve in paradise had their entire bodies covered with a hard substance like nails. It replaced clothes. After expulsion from paradise, this cover disappeared, remaining only on the fingers and toes. The first people had to cover themselves with fig leaves. And since then they have treasured nails, because they are the ones that never left a person, and even came from paradise. In Ancient Rus', pieces of nails carefully preserved during life were placed in a coffin after the death of their owner; they believed that they would grow and help him climb up.
"If you decide to think,
since he swore by Solomon;
And if they report that you were whispering with a demon,
And if on a fast day you dare to walk barefoot,
Or you put strange marks on your nails.
Everything is a crime! Alas! The fires are burning. "
The Egyptians (you can see this on mummies) came up with the custom of painting their nails red in order to once again imitate life with the help of magical signs of blood. Buddha's were supposedly copper-colored. There are many shades, as well as colorful comparisons. Nowadays, experienced masters are engaged in downright artistic painting of nails, depicting on them not only complex ornaments, but also political figures, mythical animals, etc.
If you don’t want to paint them at all, you can use plastic or very expensive ones made of gold and platinum. The method, it turns out, is not so new. The deceased Tutankhamun's toes were covered with gold cases with images on them of not only nails, but also the first joints.
To create a perfect looking nail, use the following guidelines for shaping it. Examine the nail from each of the seven angles: left and right, tip down, tip up, angled, straight, palm side. All nails should be of equal length and consistent with the shape of the fingers. From the side you should see a small “dome” of the nail. This shape, in addition to beauty, also gives strength to the nail.
As you can see, nails are simply a storehouse of information. Just don’t get carried away by closely examining your interlocutor’s nails: firstly, because it will look very unnatural and suspicious, and secondly, don’t forget that it’s no less informative, and most importantly, more familiar, for a person to look with whom you are talking, in the eyes.
For a very long time there was very little information about the structure of the nail and the process of nail growth. But recently, research in this area has provided new knowledge about the functions of the nail apparatus. This greatly facilitates the work of nail cosmetology specialists. They can help solve many nail problems of various origins.
It is worth noting that in the structure of the human nail , the papillary layer of the dermis is highly developed, forming ridges and grooves that continue on the nail plate itself - the visible part of the nail, that is, on what ordinary people are accustomed to calling the nail itself. The reticular layer of the dermis has strong collagen ligaments under the nails. They contact the bony phalanx and thus form the fixing apparatus of the nail. These strong or weakened ligaments create a tension force, which affects the shape of the nail.
So, the structure of the nail is such that the stronger the collagen ligaments, the more pronounced the bend of the nail (nail plate) will be. Conversely, with ligament dystrophy we will see flat nail plates that resemble a springboard.
At the very beginning of the nail, or rather in the part invisible to the human eye, there is a papillary layer of the dermis, on which there is a germinal layer of epithelium, the posterior layer of which forms the matrix of the nail. This is the main point in the structure of the human nail , because the matrix genetically contains the shape of the nail and all its parameters: thickness, structure and growth rate of the nails. But, despite the genetic predisposition, all these parameters can change depending on the influence of external and internal factors, both negative and positive. This is the basis of all modern nail cosmetology aimed at strengthening nails.
Considering the structure of the nail , it should be noted that its growth occurs both in length and thickness. Naturally, the second type of growth occurs much more slowly. Growth in thickness also depends on the length of the matrix. The longer it is, the thicker the nail. Therefore, it is very important to protect nails and, especially the matrix, from external influences and injuries.
And if a person genetically has a short matrix, then it is unlikely that it will be possible to make nails thicker and stronger.
There are cases when a person has naturally healthy thick nails, but they become thinner for certain reasons. In this case, it is necessary to find out the reason and restore the original length of the matrix. The structure of a human nail is a very complex thing and therefore such treatment can last from 9 months to a year.
How does this happen? The round matrix cells are successively converted into beta keratin. This substance has the structure of tiles. And gradually flattening, they form tightly fitting scales. Due to the layered and porous structure of the nail , processes of absorption and sweating occur in it. Unlike the skin, which practically does not absorb water, human nails also absorb it. Based on such strong suction, nails are treated by covering the nail plate itself and the nail bed with medicinal varnishes, creams and ointments. As for sweating, about 15% of the total skin sweat occurs through the nails per day.
And in conclusion... The structure of a human nail is a set of complex growth mechanisms that depend on the unique characteristics of this part of the skin. This is a constantly renewing, self-healing structure, the exception to which is the matrix.