nail plate

The nail plate is the hard, translucent part of your nail that you see and walk on. It is made of keratin, a strong protein, and sits over the nail bed—a soft tissue that supplies nutrients and supports the nail. The nail plate protects the sensitive tips of your fingers and toes, aids in gripping objects, and helps prevent injuries. Its smooth surface and structure also reflect your overall health. The nail plate grows from cells in the nail matrix beneath the skin at the base of the nail, continuously renewing as old cells become hardened and pushed forward.