Skin

A nail is a keratinized plate located on the dorsal aspect of the distal phalanges. Above and below, the nail is continuous with the cornified layer of the epidermis. The highly keratinized edge of epidermis above the nail is called the epon or eponychium. Under the nail toward the bone is the epithelium of the nail matrix. The dermis and the matrix comprise the nail bed. The proximal most portion of the nail, covered with skin, is the nail root. UCLA Histology Collection