The living tissue that overlies the nail plate on the sides of the nail is known as the:

The living tissue that overlies the nail plate on the sides of the nail is referred to as the perionychium. This term describes the area surrounding the nail, which includes the skin that forms a barrier protecting the underlying structures. The perionychium is important for nail health, as it provides support and safeguards against infections and injuries.

The cuticle, while often confused with the perionychium, specifically refers to the thin layer of dead skin that overlaps the nail plate at the base of the nail. It serves to protect the matrix of the nail from potential pathogens.

The nail bed is the skin beneath the nail plate, where the nail grows but does not relate to the sides of the nail. Similarly, the lateral nail fold refers to the skin folds on the sides of the nail where the skin attaches to the nail itself. It encapsulates the sides of the nail but does not cover the plate as the perionychium does. Understanding these distinctions is critical for anyone studying cosmetology, particularly in nail care and maintenance.