Where is the hyponychium located?

• A. The skin at the proximal fold
• B. The skin under the free edge of the nail
• C. The skin at the side wall
• D. The nail plate surface

Answer: (B)

Hyponychium is the skin at the fingertip that lies under the free edge of the nail plate. It forms a protective seal at the distal end of the nail, helping keep the nail bed free of dirt and microbes. The skin at the proximal fold is the cuticle area at the base of the nail, the side walls are the lateral nail folds, and the nail plate surface is the visible top of the nail—none of these describe the hyponychium.