What is the overlapping skin around the nail that is considered dead?

The correct answer is cuticle. The cuticle is the thin layer of skin that overlaps the nail plate at the base of the nail. It serves as a protective barrier, preventing bacteria and other pathogens from entering the nail bed. This skin can appear dead because it consists of cells that have migrated from deeper layers of the skin and are no longer living.

The eponychium, while often confused with the cuticle, is actually the living skin at the base of the nail that pushes the cuticle forward. It is not considered dead tissue like the cuticle is. The hyponychium, on the other hand, is the skin located under the free edge of the nail and helps to protect the nail bed. The nail plate refers to the hard visible part of the nail, which is not skin but rather a hardened protein called keratin. Understanding these distinctions between the different parts related to the nail structure is essential for proper nail care and hygiene.