Then, what can affect the growth of the nail plate?
The growth of the nail plate is affected by nutrition, exercise, and a person's general health. The normal nail grows forward from the matrix, and extends over the top of the finger.
Furthermore, how does medication affect nail growth? Most drug-induced nail changes occur when a drug affects the nail epithelia, but drugs can also affect the nail matrix, the nail bed, or the periungual tissue. Drug-induced changes may accumulate in, and discolor, the nail or surrounding skin.
Accordingly, what does the nail plate protect?
Nail plates protect the tips of fingers and toes, and their appearance can reflect the general health of the body. is firm but flexible. The surface is shiny, smooth, and unspotted with no wavy ridges, pits or splits.
How is the nail plate formed?
Fingernails grow from the matrix. The nails are composed largely of keratin, a hardened protein (that is also in skin and hair). As new cells grow in the matrix, the older cells are pushed out, compacted and take on the familiar flattened, hardened form of the fingernail.