What is the visible portion of the nail called?

The visible portion of the nail is known as the nail body. This part of the nail is what you commonly see when looking at a person's fingernails or toenails. It consists of a hardened layer of keratin, a protein that also makes up hair and skin, and serves to protect the delicate structures under the nail.

The nail body plays a significant role in gripping and manipulating objects, as well as offering protection to the tips of the fingers and toes. It extends from the nail matrix at the base to the free edge at the tip of the finger or toe.

In contrast, the nail root is located beneath the cuticle at the base of the nail, where nail growth occurs. The lunula is the crescent-shaped white area at the base of the nail, visible at the bottom of the nail body, while the hyponychium is the area of skin under the free edge of the nail. Understanding these different parts highlights the importance of the nail body as the primary visible component of the nail.