The dorsal fold that lies on the surface of the nail is the eponychium, or cuticle. |
The presence of eponychium on the feet is indicative that the foal has not yet stood. |
The eponychium overlies and protects the proximal portion of the nail and the germinal matrix. |
The nail is replaced to provide a physiologic dressing and to splint open the eponychium so that a new nail will grow in place. |
Every nail has a lunula, but some lunulas are short and remain hidden under the eponychium. |