Your nail bed is located underneath the nail plate, attaching it to the distal phalanx (the last bone in your finger or toe).
Essentially, the nail bed is the skin directly beneath your fingernail or toenail. It extends from the lunula (the crescent-shaped area at the base of your nail) to the hyponychium (the skin just under the free edge of your nail).
Here's a breakdown:
- Under the Nail Plate: The nail plate (the hard, visible part of your nail) sits on top of the nail bed.
- Attached to the Distal Phalanx: The nail bed firmly connects the nail to the bone in your fingertip or toe tip, which is the distal phalanx.
- Smooth Surface: The nail bed provides a smooth surface, allowing the nail plate to slide forward as it grows. It's important to note that the nail bed itself doesn't contribute to the nail's growth; that's the function of the nail matrix, located at the base of the nail.
Think of it like this: the nail bed is like the glue and the runway beneath your fingernail. It holds the nail in place and lets it grow smoothly outward.
