What is located beneath the nail plate?

The matrix area producing nail cells is indeed located beneath the nail plate. The nail matrix is a critical part of nail anatomy, as it is responsible for the growth of the nail. This area contains cells that rapidly divide and push older cells forward, contributing to new nail formation. The condition of the matrix directly affects nail health and growth, making it a fundamental structure beneath the nail plate.

Other components of nail anatomy, such as the cuticle, nail groove, and hyponychium, serve different functions. The cuticle protects the area between the skin and the nail plate, the nail groove provides a channel for the nail to grow and fits into the surrounding skin, and the hyponychium acts as a barrier that protects the nail bed. While these structures are important, they do not have the same role in the growth and formation of nail cells as the matrix does.