What is an alternative name for the skin surrounding the nail?

The term that refers to the skin surrounding the nail is "perionychium." This term encompasses the entire skin area around the nail, including the proximal and lateral skin folds. It serves protective functions by helping to shield the nail matrix from infections and injuries. Understanding the terminology related to nail anatomy is crucial, especially for professionals in the beauty and nail care industry.

The hyponychium refers specifically to the skin located under the nail tip, which is different from the surrounding skin. Agnail, often confused with the area around the nail, actually refers to a hangnail, which is a small piece of torn cuticle and does not describe the surrounding skin itself. The cuticle is another term that is often used in nail care, but it specifically refers to the thin layer of dead skin at the base of the nail plate, rather than the skin surrounding the entire nail. Thus, "perionychium" is the correct term for the skin surrounding the nail.