Small white spots in the nail, which may be caused by an injury, are called what?

The correct answer is leuconychia, which refers to small white spots or discolorations in the nail. These spots can result from various factors, including trauma or injury to the nail matrix, where the nail grows. When the matrix is damaged, it can affect the new growth of the nail, leading to the formation of these white areas.

Leuconychia can be temporary or permanent, depending on the severity of the injury and whether it affected the nail matrix. It's important to note that there are different forms of leuconychia, such as total or partial, depending on the extent and location of the white spots on the nail.

The other terms refer to different nail conditions: onychorrhexis involves brittle nails that may split or develop ridges, onychocryptosis describes ingrown toenails, and pterygium is a condition where the skin grows over the nail plate, potentially causing it to be deformed. Understanding these distinctions is essential for identifying and treating nail-related issues effectively.