Introduction

Abstract

Nails are subject to alterations by both exogenous and endogenous forces, including numerous environmental factors (e.g., moisture, irritants, trauma, nail cosmetics) as well as systemic diseases. There are also a number of anatomic and physiologic limitations of the nail plate, thereby rendering diagnosis a challenge, even for the most experienced clinician. Figure 1 depicts a diagrammatic representation of the basic components of the nail itself, which will be referred to throughout this book.