Nail (anatomy)

This article is about the anatomical features of primates' digits. For the structure on some birds' beaks, see Nail (beak).
"Toenail" and "Fingernail" redirect here. For the construction technique, see Toenailing. For the 2023 film, see Fingernails (film).
This article uses anatomical terminology.
Nail
Human fingernails
Details
SystemIntegumentary system
Identifiers
Latinunguis
MeSHD009262
TA98A16.0.01.001
TA27065
THH3.12.00.3.02001
FMA54326
Anatomical terminology

A nail is a protective plate characteristically found at the tip of the digits (fingers and toes) of all primates, corresponding to the claws in other tetrapod animals. Fingernails and toenails are made of a tough rigid protein called alpha-keratin, a polymer also found in the claws, hooves and horns of vertebrates.[1]

  1. ^ Wang, Bin (2016). "Keratin: Structure, mechanical properties, occurrence in biological organisms, and efforts at bioinspiration" (PDF). Progress in Materials Science. 76: 229–318. doi:10.1016/j.pmatsci.2015.06.001.