The Onychodermal Band

This feature of the nail unit is often missed. It can only be seen with careful observation. The onychodermal band is found in the nail plate, just before the free edge. Examine your own nails for this band. This thin band has a glassy-looking, grayish appearance. You will see this grayish band lying beside the nail plate’s white free edge. This is the seal between the nail plate and hyponychium. When this seal is broken, infection often occurs.