What is the hard protective plate of the nail composed mainly of keratin called?

The hard protective plate of the nail, primarily composed of keratin, is known as the nail plate. This structure serves as the visible part of the nail that covers and protects the delicate nail bed underneath. The nail plate is formed by the matrix, where nail growth occurs, and its composition of keratin provides both strength and resilience to mechanical forces.

In contrast, the nail bed is the skin beneath the nail plate and does not contain keratin, making it softer and more sensitive. The cuticle is a thin layer of skin that protects the area between the skin and the nail plate, while the eponychium is the living skin at the base of the nail plate that also contributes to the protection of the nail matrix. Understanding these terms is essential in nail anatomy and care, particularly in the context of nail services and health.