What is the technical term for a fingernail?

The technical term for a fingernail is onyx. In the context of nail anatomy, "onyx" refers to the hard, protective structure that we commonly identify as the visible part of the nail. This term is derived from the Greek word "onyx," meaning "claw" or "fingernail," underscoring its function as a protective covering for the digit.

The other terms, while related to nail structure, refer to different components or concepts. For instance, the matrix is the tissue under the base of the nail that produces the cells that become the nail plate. The nail plate is the hard substance that forms the top part of the finger or toe nail, but the specific terminology for the entire fingernail layer is onyx. The nail bed is the skin beneath the nail plate that supports it, but it does not specifically define the nail itself. Understanding these distinctions is key to correctly identifying nail anatomy and terminology.