What is the term used to describe where the nail plate ends?

The term that describes where the nail plate ends is known as the free edge. The free edge is the part of the nail that extends beyond the fingertip, providing both aesthetic appearance and some functional protection for the underlying tissues. It is essentially the outermost portion of the nail plate that can be seen, and it is the area that is often shaped when a manicure is performed.

The free edge is important in nail care as it can be a point of focus for nail technicians, particularly in processes like shaping or filing the nails. Understanding this term and its location is crucial for proper nail maintenance and artistic enhancement in manicure practices.

In contrast, the nail bed refers to the skin underneath the nail plate, the cuticle is the tissue that overlaps the nail plate at its base, and the hyponychium is the area of skin located under the free edge of the nail. Each of these terms relates to different parts of the nail structure, but only the free edge specifically denotes where the nail plate concludes.