Slide 195 Image 2/2
Nail plate, Toe - high mag.
The nail plate consists of a thick layer of closely packed keratinized, squamous, epithelial scales which grows from the matrix. As the plate grows it glides forward over the (purple) epithelial layers beneath it, which corresponds to the st. basale & spinosum. These epithelial layers & the dermis comprise the well-vascularized nail bed.