Nail Fungus Glossary

Athlete's Foot: A kind of ringworm that can exist alongside nail fungus.

Dermis: The skin's middle layer.

Cuticle: The tissue overlapping the nail plate surrounding the base of the nail.

Epidermis: The outer layer of skin.

Fungus: A member of the plant family, can grow on living and non living things.

Inflammation: Swelling, pain, heat and redness in response to an infection.

Keratin: The protein that nails are comprised of.

Lunula: The arc at the bottom of a nail that is white.

Matrix: The part of the nail under the cuticle that causes growth.

Mold: Large amount of fungi that live off of plant and animal matter and can cause nail fungus.

Nail bed: The skin found underneath the nail plate.

Nail folds: The folds of skin around the nail that support it.

Nail plate: The part of the nail that is visible

Onychomycosis: The scientific name for nail fungus.

Subcutaneous layer: Layer of fat and connective tissue beneath the dermis.

Yeast: A group of fungi that reproduce by budding. Yeast can cause nail fungus.

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