The hyponychium lies between the distal portion of the nail bed and the distal groove. It underlies the distal portion of the attached nail plate and marks the transition to normal volar epidermis. The distal nail fold is the indention just below the free edge of the nail plate. The nail matrix is the germinal center of the nail complex. The proximal nail fold covers most of the matrix, with the part visible under the proximal nail plate being called the lunula .
Melanocytes are most prevalent in the distal matrix and are absent in the nail bed.
The ventral part of the proximal nail fold is called the eponychium . The cuticle is situated between the nail proximal fold and the nail plate where it is closely adhered to the dorsal surface. It seals off the potential space between the proximal nail fold and the nail plate. The anterior ligament attaches the distal phalanx to the hyponychium, and the posterior ligament attaches the matrix and proximal nail fold to the proximal part or the distal phalanx. The digital ring block is commonly used for anesthesia for a variety of nail procedures.