Nails grow from the skin and are composed of a substance called ‘keratin’. Keratin is a tough-dead protein, horn-like in nature. Nails are closely attached to the skin. The exposed part of the nail is very thick, but as we go below the skin, near the root of the nail, we find that it is very thin. Nail growth occurs at the base and as new cells develop, they push the old cells and the dead nail part grows. The dead nail part is white in colour because it is not attached to the skin. On an average, a nail grows about 50 mm per year.
What are Fingernails?
