What defines nail pterygium?

Nail pterygium is defined as the stretching or abnormal adherence of the eponychium (the fold of skin at the base of the nail) or hyponychium (the skin beneath the nail) to the nail plate. This condition can occur due to various factors, including trauma, inflammation, or systemic diseases. The stretching can cause a change in nail growth patterns and may result in the nail growing irregularly or becoming deformed.

Understanding this definition is important for proper diagnosis and treatment in the context of nail care and manicuring. It highlights the relationship between the skin surrounding the nail and the nail itself, which is crucial for maintaining healthy nail structures. Other conditions, such as fungal infections or thickening of the nail plate, do not pertain to the definition of pterygium, as they involve different underlying issues. So the concept of stretching and abnormal adherence directly aligns with what nail pterygium represents.