Why do we have nails?

The anatomy of nails

It's probably not vital for you to know about the structure of nails to understand their function, but in case you do, here are some details:

Fingernail anatomy

Nails consist of several parts. There is the nail plate, the hard visible surface. This is made of a modified form of keratin. Keratin is the same substance that goes to make hooves, horns and claws.

Beneath the nail plate is the nail bed, a layer of skin. The cuticle is the rim of tissue at the bottom of the plate. The nail folds are ridges of skin and soft tissue that border the nail on three sides. The matrix is the hidden part of the nail that lies under the cuticle. It is composed of living cells that produce the keratin.

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What your nails say about your health

Ingrown toenail

Why do we have fingernails?

It's thought that nails are modified claws. Large mammals used claws to help them climb large tree trunks, grab on to things and dig holes. However, as our mammalian ancestors grew larger, claws got in the way as they scrambled across tree canopies and tried to grasp small branches in search of fruit. Yes, we are talking primates here. Primates are a group of mammals characterised by large brains and stereoscopic vision. Members of this group - the apes - eventually evolved into man.

The other evolutionary benefit is thought to be that nails supported the development of broad fingertips. Broad fingertips without a firm structure to support them would simply flop around and be useless, but fingernails enabled the fingertips to develop a very important function - grip. Members of the animal kingdom noted for their firm grip all have broad fingertips. Lemurs, our primate cousins who decided to take their own route along the evolutionary tree, are a typical example.

Around 2.5 million years ago our ancestors had done living with trees, and started living in caves. Fingertips became broader still, facilitating the ability to grip stone tools. Early people were thus able to carve out all manner of useful items for the home. As time went by, this skill became honed into its highest form: the ability to assemble flat pack furniture.

Why do we have toenails?

Toenails went through an identical evolutionary development to fingernails. They too started out as claws. Claws on the feet are useful to get a grip when clambering among the trees but get in the way when you start to move around on the ground. And finding shoes that fit can also be a problem.

Toenails - and indeed fingernails - also have a protective function. Their hard surface prevents injury to the delicate soft tissues, nerves, blood vessels, and muscles beneath. I'm sure footballers are grateful for toenails, even allowing for the protection of boots. Of course, if you didn't have nails it's possible the game wouldn't even get started. I'm not sure how possible it would be for a ref to flip a coin without a thumbnail.

There is also some evidence that toenails assist in balance, probably by ensuring that the sensors on the bottom of the toes which detect the position of our feet are applied to the floor in a consistent manner. I've read reports of people whose balance and mobility have been affected after they lost toenails, but I don't think the subject has been researched in any great depth.

Other uses of nails

Windows of health

The appearance of the nails can sometimes yield clues as to whether you have any health concerns. For example:

Pitting - little holes in the nails can be a sign of a skin condition called psoriasis.

Thickened discoloured nails - this is often a sign of a fungal infection. Fungal nail infections sometimes signal that you have developed a condition making you prone to infection, such as diabetes or immune deficiency.

Paleness - this can be a sign of anaemia, especially if the lining of your mouth, your tongue or the inside of your lower eyelids are also pale.

Read more in our feature What your nails reveal about your health.

And finally ...

Nails have a myriad of uses we often take for granted. You can pretty them up with nail varnish. You can peel off a yoghurt pot lid without getting your hands mucky, And, most importantly, you can scratch that itch.