Why Do We Have Fingernails?

Why do we have fingernails? Our fingertips are made of keratin, the same protein found in hair, fur, and claws. Their wide, flat surface protects the tips from injury and provides rigid backing for small objects. In a long-gone evolutionary stage, fingernails probably helped humans catch body lice. They also helped us open food objects and strip bark from trees to build structures.  Who knows they may have even been used for building but today we have services like flooring Santa Clarita for help.

The nail is divided into six parts, each of which has a specific function. If any of the components are disrupted, the nail will not function correctly and may even appear abnormal. The root of the nail, also called the germinal matrix, extends several millimeters into the finger and produces most of the nail’s volume. In addition, the nail is connected to the rich vascular system of the fingertip.

Generally, fingernails have rounded sides and are white or pink at the nail bed. If they are black, it is an indication of a melanoma in the subungual area. If this condition is detected early, it can lead to bleeding, cracking, and brittleness. It is important to note that fingernails are found in primates as well. If you are concerned that your nails are unhealthy, contact a doctor for a checkup.

The evolution of nails and claws are complicated. Many primate species have claws, but human fingernails evolved later. These claws are useful, but can snag during grasping and climbing. A new study shows that the evolution of claws and nails were more complicated than previously thought. The findings of this study are scheduled for publication in the Journal of Human Evolution. Therefore, nails and claws could have diverged a long time ago.

The human habit of biting our fingernails has been around for ages, but no one is sure why it’s so addictive. Kids have been bugged by their parents for centuries to stop this practice, but the fact remains that the habit can damage the enamel of teeth and cause an infection in the finger. This is why you must teach children to refrain from nail biting. The habit of biting fingernails is not a good idea.

We have a thick layer of skin on the nail bed, known as the cuticle, a rim of tissue at the bottom of the nail plate, and nail folds. The nail matrix is the hidden part of the nail, made of living cells that produce keratin. If your child has a tendency to bite their fingernails, it might be time to have a nail-biting contest.