nail (nāl)
nail
nail [nāl]
1. the horny cutaneous plate on the dorsal surface of the distal end of a finger or toe.
2. a rod of metal, bone, or other material for fixation of fragments of fractured bones.
ingrown nail aberrant growth of a toenail, with one or both lateral margins pushing deeply into adjacent soft tissue.
racket nail a short broad thumbnail.
spoon nail one with a concave surface.
nail (n l)n. 1. A fingernail or toenail. 2. A slender rod used in operations to fasten together the divided extremities of a broken bone. |
nail
Etymology: AS, naegel
1 also called unguis. A flattened elastic structure with a horny texture at the end of a finger or a toe. Each nail is composed of a root, body, and free edge at the distal extremity. The root fastens the nail to the finger or the toe by fitting into a groove in the skin and is closely molded to the surface of the dermis. The nail matrix beneath the body and the root projects longitudinal vascular ridges, which are easily visible through the translucent tissue of the body. The matrix firmly attaches the body of the nail to the underlying connective tissue. The whitish lunula near the root contains irregularly arranged papillae that are less firmly attached to the connective tissue than the rest of the matrix. The cuticle is attached to the surface of the nail just ahead of the root.
2 any of various metallic nails used in orthopedics to fasten together bones or pieces of bone.
nail [nāl]
1. a rod of metal, bone, or other material used for fixation of the ends of fractured bones.
2. a hardened or horny cutaneous plate overlying the dorsal surface of the distal end of a finger or toe. The nails are part of the outer layer of the skin and are composed of hard tissue formed of keratin. Called also unguis.
Parts of the nail. From Dorland's, 2000.
Nail abnormalities. From Lammon et al., 1996.
ingrown nail see ingrown nail.
spoon nail a nail with a concave surface.
nail
1. a rod of metal, bone or other material used for fixation of the ends of fractured bones.
2. see horseshoe nail (below).
3. a horny cutaneous plate overlying the dorsal surface of the distal phalanx of the human fingers and toes; similar structures are found in other primates.
4. (loosely) one of the claws of dogs, cats, chickens, etc.
nail bed infection
see paronychia.
nail bind
usually used to indicate a nail prick of the horse's hoof caused by the blacksmith driving a nail too close to the soft tissues and causing pressure on the sensitive laminae without penetrating them. See also nail prick (below).
nail-hole curette
a curette with a fine stem and a tiny, half-cup shaped end designed to be inserted in a nail-hole in the hoof to curette out damaged tissue and to provide drainage. Called also Hughes nail-hole curette.
nail dermatophytosis
see onychomycosis.
horseshoe nail
a nail made of a special soft metal and with a specific shape that directs the point of the nail away from the soft tissues and out through the side wall of the hoof.
interlocking nail
an intramedullary nail secured by transverse screws through the proximal and distal fragments.
intramedullary nail
one placed within the medullary cavity, bridging the fracture site and providing support and immobilization although rotation may be a problem. See internal fixation.
nail prick
penetration of the sole of the horse's hoof by a nail or other sharp object to the depth of the sensitive laminae. Causes acute lameness and may lead to infection, hoof abscess and tetanus. See also nail bind (above). Called also nail tread.
pulled nail
an injury common in racing Greyhounds, in which the attachment of the nail to the nail bed is separated by trauma. Causes severe pain and lameness.
nail tread
see nail prick.
nail trimmers
see resco nail trimmer, toenail scissors.
nail
Orthopedics A cylindrical metal device constructed of stainless steel used to hold 2 or more pieces of fractured bone in place
Patient discussion about nail.
Q. My nails are black- is it dangerous? Hi, I was diagnosed with colon cancer and now I receive chemotherapy. This morning I found that my nails are brown and blue, and other nails have white lines on them. Is that dangerous? Should go and see a doctor?
A. The chemo can cause several changes in your nail, e.g. make them brittle etc. You can find some more info at : http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/hair_skin_nails/nails.jsp
Q. Anyone know why it hurts so much when you smash one of your finger nails?
A. two levels to that answer. first one is that it has an immense amount of sensory nerves there. so you will be able to do delicate jobs with your fingers. the fingers are almost the most sensitive part of our body. the second level is - if you look evolutionary speaking- the fingernails were an important part of our body like our teeth are. they were a very important tool we should take care of them. and if it hurts like hell when you smashes them- you'll be careful. but that's just a theory:)
Q. my guy friend has a very sick looking toe nail, what should he do? its really thick and has ridges, its also dark yellow and it looks to me has thick toe jam too... ugh, he needs your help please!
A. It sounds like Toenail fungus. Symptoms of toenail fungus, which can be caused by several types of fungi, include swelling, yellowing, thickening or crumbling of the nail, streaks or spots down the side of the nail, and even complete loss of the nail. Toenail color can vary from brown or yellow to white with this condition. I suggest your friend goes to see a foot doctor. The doctor might remove as much of the nail as possible by trimming, filing or dissolving it. Medicated nail polish might be prescribed for a localized infection, but a serious infection will likely be treated with a prescription oral antifungal medication. Only in severe cases will surgical removal of the nail be recommended.
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