What is at the base of the nail, imbedded underneath the skin?

The base of the nail that is imbedded underneath the skin is the nail root. This part of the nail lies beneath the cuticle and is where the growth of the nail begins. The nail root is essential because it contains living cells that divide and produce new nail cells, which push the older cells forward, resulting in nail growth.

While the nail bed is the skin underneath the nail plate, and the nail matrix is the area where the nail cells are generated, neither of these structures is directly underneath the skin at the base of the nail. The lunula, which is visible as a white crescent at the base of the nail, does not correspond to the area directly under the skin, as it is simply the visible part of the nail matrix.

Understanding the anatomy of the nail is important for recognizing how nails grow and what structures are involved in maintaining their health and integrity. The nail root's location and function highlight its critical role in the overall process of nail formation.