Anatomy of the nail: parts explained simply

If you want to start applying artificial or acrylic nails, it is important to know exactly how your nail is constructed. What the different parts of your nail are and what terms such as cuticle, nail bed and nail border mean. Because these words also appear regularly in our blogs and how-tos. That is why we would like to tell you more about the anatomy of the nail. But then explained simply.

The anatomy of your nail

Your nail is more than a hard plate at the end of your fingers or toes. It consists of a number of parts, each with its own function. We list a number of them for you:

The nail plate

When you think of nails, you immediately think of the nail plate. This is the light pink, hard plate that you paint. It actually consists of three layers, where the top one offers protection and the bottom one ensures that your nail stays firmly attached to the nail bed.

The nail bed

The nail bed is located under your nail. It is a layer of skin that consists mainly of connective tissue and gives the pink color to your nail plate. This is due to the blood vessels that lie underneath. Sometimes the nail bed accidentally appears. If you tear your nail or cut it too far, for example.

The cuticle

The cuticle is the edge between the nail plate and the skin of your finger or toe. It ensures that no dirt, bacteria and diseases can get under your skin via the nail. It is therefore important to take good care of it, for example with DIY cuticle oil.

Nail matrix

Far beneath the cuticle and skin of your finger is the nail matrix, also known as the nail root. This is where the nail is made. Where it grows. For this, the nail matrix needs enough oxygen and nutrients, so if you want to grow your nails, it is important to eat healthy too!

Nail wall

The nail fold is located at the cuticle, but also to the left and right of your nail plate. When we talk about the nail fold, we often mean the pieces of skin on the sides of your nail. These are the pieces that become inflamed if you suffer from an ingrown nail. So cut well!

Balba

We close the anatomy of the nail with your balba. That is a somewhat strange word for the white edge at the end of the nail plate and that is why we also call it free nail border or just the tip of your nail. You can accentuate it nicely with a French manicure (also with acrylic gel)!