Nail anatomy consists of several key parts. The visible part of the nail is called the nail plate, which is made of a hard protein called keratin. Beneath the nail plate lies the nail bed, a sensitive area that supports the nail and contains blood vessels and nerves. At the base of the nail, the lunula is the white, crescent-shaped area that is often visible. The cuticle is the thin layer of skin that overlaps the nail plate, protecting the nail matrix, where new nail cells are produced. Together, these components contribute to nail health and growth.