The tissue described as the living tissue at the base of the nail is which term?

The tissue described as the living tissue at the base of the nail is which term?

• A. Eponychium
• B. Hyponychium
• C. Nail bed
• D. Nail root

Answer: (A)

The living tissue at the base of the nail is the eponychium. This skin sits at the base, overlapping the proximal nail area and helping protect the matrix as the nail begins to grow. It’s the living tissue often confused with the cuticle, but the cuticle proper is the dead skin that adheres to the nail plate. The hyponychium is the skin under the free edge of the nail, not at the base. The nail bed is the tissue beneath the nail plate, and the nail root refers to the part of the nail embedded in the skin that gives rise to growth. So, the eponychium is the living tissue located at the base of the nail.

The living tissue at the base of the nail is the eponychium. This skin sits at the base, overlapping the proximal nail area and helping protect the matrix as the nail begins to grow. It’s the living tissue often confused with the cuticle, but the cuticle proper is the dead skin that adheres to the nail plate. The hyponychium is the skin under the free edge of the nail, not at the base. The nail bed is the tissue beneath the nail plate, and the nail root refers to the part of the nail embedded in the skin that gives rise to growth. So, the eponychium is the living tissue located at the base of the nail.