What happens if the matrix of the nail is destroyed?

When the matrix of the nail is destroyed, the growth of the nail is significantly impacted because the matrix is the tissue located under the base of the nail that produces new nail cells. If this area is damaged or destroyed, it cannot generate the necessary cells to form a new nail plate. As a result, the nail will not grow back. This condition can lead to permanent nail loss or deformity, depending on the extent of the damage to the matrix.

In contrast, if the matrix is intact but the nail is damaged (such as from an injury), it may still have the ability to grow back over time. Thicker nails may occur under certain conditions, but this is not a result of matrix destruction, and visible changes depend on the health and integrity of the matrix. Thus, the correct choice reflects the permanence of the consequences when the matrix suffers destruction.