Eponychium
1. The thin, condensed, eleidin-rich layer of epidermis which procedes and initially covers the nail plate in the embryo. It normally degenerates by the eighth month except at the nail base where it remains as the cuticle of the nail.
2. The corneal layer of epidermis overlapping and in direct contact with the nail root proximally or the sides of the nail plate laterally, forming the undersurface of the nail wall or nail folds of nail.
Synonym: hidden nail skin, perionychium.
3. The thin skin adherent to the nail at its proximal portion.
Synonym: epionychium.
Origin: g. Epi, upon, – onyx (onych-), nail
Dictionary > Eponychium
