eponychium

== English == === Etymology === From Ancient Greek ἐπί (epí, “on top of”) + ὀνῠ́χιον (onŭ́khion, “little claw”, diminutive of ὄνυξ (ónux)). === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ɛpəʊˈnɪkɪəm/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˌɛpəˈnɪkiəm/ === Noun === eponychium (plural eponychia) (anatomy) The thickened layer of skin adjoining fingernails and toenails, particularly at the base of the nail. (zoology, veterinary medicine) The protective capsule that surrounds the hoof of foetuses and neonates of hoofed animals, which disappears soon after birth, but remnants of which remain as part of the permanent hoof. 2014, Kevin T. Corley, Jonna M. Jokisolo, Chapter 172: Evaluation of the Compromised Neonatal Foal, Kim A. Sprayberry, N. Edward Robinson, Robinson's Current Therapy in Equine Medicine, 7th Edition, page 720, The presence of eponychium (also called “foal slippers”) on the feet (Figure 172-3) is indicative that the foal has not yet stood. ==== Usage notes ==== (layer of skin): Sometimes confused with cuticle. Properly, the cuticle is a layer of dead skin connecting the eponychium to the nail and forming a seal. The eponychium is living tissue. ==== Synonyms ==== (layer of skin): medial nail fold, proximal nail fold ==== Related terms ==== eponychial hyponychium paronychium perionychium === See also === nail fold nail fold on Wikipedia.Wikipedia