Which part of the skin is classified as cuticle overlap at the nail?

The part of the skin classified as the cuticle overlap at the nail is the eponychium. The eponychium is the layer of tissue situated at the base of the nail, where it meets the skin. This area serves as a protective barrier to prevent pathogens from entering the nail bed and helps to keep moisture in, ensuring a healthy environment for nail growth.

In professional nail care, understanding the eponychium is important for proper nail treatments and maintenance. While it is often confused with the cuticle, which is the thin layer of dead skin that may be found underneath the eponychium, the eponychium specifically refers to the living skin that surrounds the nail plate. This distinction is crucial for nail technicians when performing services like manicures or pedicures, as they need to be careful not to damage the living tissue.

The perionychium refers to the skin surrounding the entire nail unit, including both the eponychium and the skin on the sides of the nail. The hypoglottis is not a commonly recognized term related to nail anatomy, and the cuticle fold is typically a general term that may refer to the area around the cuticle but does not denote a specific anatomical structure like