What is the name of the act of tissue that generates cells in the nail?

The nail matrix is the area of tissue that generates new cells, contributing to nail growth. It is located beneath the base of the nail, and its primary function is to produce the keratinized cells that form the nail plate. As new cells are generated in the nail matrix, they push older cells forward, which gradually become hard and compacted, forming the visible part of the nail that extends beyond the fingertip.

The nail bed, while important for nail health and attachment, does not itself produce cells. It serves as a support area for the nail plate. The nail plate is the hard surface of the nail that we see and touch, which is composed of keratin and is a product of the cells generated by the matrix. The nail fold refers to the skin that surrounds the nail and helps to protect the nail matrix but does not generate any cells itself. All these distinctions underscore the crucial role the nail matrix plays in nail formation and health.