Eponychium

Epon

Nail anatomy, with eponychium labeled as "nail fold".

Longitudinal section through nail and its nail groove (sulcus).
Details
Identifiers
Latin Eponychium
TA A16.0.01.010
FMA 77859

Anatomical terminology

In human anatomy, the eponychium [Greek epi (on, upon) + onychion (little claw)], is the thickened layer of skin surrounding fingernails and toenails. It can also be called the medial or proximal nail fold. Its function is to protect the area between the nail and epidermis from exposure to bacteria. The vascularization pattern is similar to that of perionychium.[1]

In hoofed animals, the eponychium is the deciduous hoof capsule in fetuses and newborn foals, and is a part of the permanent hoof in older animals.[2]

See also

References

  1. Sangiorgi S, Manelli A, Congiu T, et al. (2004). "Microvascularization of the human digit as studied by corrosion casting". J. Anat. 204 (2): 123–31. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7580.2004.00251.x. PMC 1571248Freely accessible. PMID 15032919.
  2. Bragulla, H. (Mar 1991). "The deciduous hoof capsule (Capsula ungulae decidua) of the equine fetus and newborn foal". Anat Histol Embryol. 20 (1): 66–74. PMID 1877762.


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