Where are nail plate cells formed?

Nail plate cells are formed in the matrix, which is a crucial area located beneath the base of the nail, specifically where the nail begins to grow. The matrix contains specialized cells that produce keratin, the protein that makes up the structure of the nail. As new cells are created in the matrix, they push older, hardened cells forward, resulting in the growth of the nail plate.

The other regions mentioned have different functions. The nail bed is the skin beneath the nail that supports the nail plate but does not create the cells. The cuticle serves as a protective barrier for the matrix and surrounding skin but is not involved in cell formation. The lunula, which is the visible part of the matrix, may be seen at the base of the nail but is not the site where new nail plate cells are produced; its primary function is to indicate the growth area beneath the skin.