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( Nail (anatomy))
A nail is a horn-like structure at the end of an animal's finger or toe. See also claw. Anatomically fingernails and toenails are made of a tough protein called keratin and have many different parts Added to these, the free edge is the part of the nail that extends past the finger, beyond the nail plate. There are no nerve endings in the nail - this is the growing part of the nail still under the skin at the nail's proximal end. The average thickness of this portion of the nail is .017 inches. In common usage the word nail often refers to the nail plate only. Nails grow at an average rate of 3 millimeters a month. [1] Fingernails require 3 to 6 months to regrow completely, and toenails require 12 to 18 months. Although it is widely believed that toenails do not grow back, this is not true. Actual growth rate is dependent upon age, gender, season, exercise level, diet, and hereditary factors. Contrary to popular belief, nails do not continue to grow after death; the skin dehydrates and tightens, making the nails (and hair) appear to grow.[2]
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