Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Accessory Structures of the Skin: Nails

Accessory Structures of the Skin: Nails

Nails are one of the important accessory structures of the skin. They are hard, protective structures that cover the dorsal surface of the distal phalanges of fingers and toes. Nails are composed of specialized keratinized cells and serve various functions, including protection, sensation, and manual dexterity.
The main components of a nail include the following.
Nail Plate: The nail plate is the visible portion of the nail that extends beyond the fingertips or toes. It is a hard, translucent...

Muscles of the Forearm that Move the Hand and Fingers

Muscles of the Forearm that Move the Hand and Fingers

The muscles of the forearm that move the wrist, hand, and digits are numerous and diverse. They can be classified into two groups based on their location and function — the anterior and posterior compartment muscles.
Anterior Compartment
The anterior compartment muscles originate from the humerus. They primarily function as flexors and are also known as flexor muscles. They typically insert on the carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges. The superficial layer includes the flexor carpi radialis,...

Moment of a Force: Problem Solving

Moment of a Force: Problem Solving

Understanding the scalar formulation of the moment of a force and applying it correctly through problem-solving is crucial in designing and analyzing mechanical systems. Here are the steps for problem-solving with the moment of a force:

Cardiovascular System Abnormal Findings I: Inspection and Palpation

Cardiovascular System Abnormal Findings I: Inspection and Palpation

In a cardiovascular examination, inspection and palpation are crucial for identifying abnormalities.
Abnormal findings observed during an inspection

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Metacarpal Abduction Orthosis for Patients With the Thumb Carpometacarpal Osteoarthritis.

Journal of hand surgery global online·2022

Same author

Flexion Angles of Finger Joints in Two-Finger Tip Pinching Using 3D Bone Models Constructed from X-Ray Computed Tomography (CT) Images.

Applied bionics and biomechanics·2020

Same author

Measurement of Flexion Angle of the Finger Joint during Cylinder Gripping Using a Three-Dimensional Bone Model Built by X-Ray Computed Tomography.

Applied bionics and biomechanics·2019

Same author

The effect of measurement position on brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity.

Acta of bioengineering and biomechanics·2015

Same author

An fMRI study of musicians with focal dystonia during tapping tasks.

Journal of neurology·2010

Same author

Interposition arthroplasty using trapezium tendon ball for osteoarthritis of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb.

Techniques in hand & upper extremity surgery·2006

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Strain Sensing Based on Multiscale Composite Materials Reinforced with Graphene Nanoplatelets

Strain Sensing Based on Multiscale Composite Materials Reinforced with Graphene Nanoplatelets

Published on: November 7, 2016

Strain in the nail at fingertip compression.

Naotaka Sakai¹, Satoshi Shimawaki

¹Biomechanics Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering, Utsunomiya University, Utsunomiya, Japan. naosakai@cc.utsunomiya-u.ac.jp

Skin Research and Technology : Official Journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [And] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [And] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI)

|October 3, 2007

Summary

Nail strain distribution under finger pulp compression varies significantly. Strain is greater transversely than longitudinally, and differs between nail sides and regions.

More Related Videos

Ultrasound-Guided Needle Release Combined with Corticosteroid Injection for the Treatment of Supinator Syndrome

Ultrasound-Guided Needle Release Combined with Corticosteroid Injection for the Treatment of Supinator Syndrome

Published on: May 26, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Strain Sensing Based on Multiscale Composite Materials Reinforced with Graphene Nanoplatelets

Strain Sensing Based on Multiscale Composite Materials Reinforced with Graphene Nanoplatelets

Published on: November 7, 2016

Ultrasound-Guided Needle Release Combined with Corticosteroid Injection for the Treatment of Supinator Syndrome

Ultrasound-Guided Needle Release Combined with Corticosteroid Injection for the Treatment of Supinator Syndrome

Published on: May 26, 2023

Area of Science:

Biomechanics
Human Factors Engineering
Dermatology

Background:

Understanding nail biomechanics is crucial for various applications, including injury prevention and prosthetic design.
Previous research has not fully elucidated the complex strain distribution within the nail under typical compressive forces.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the distribution of nail strain.
To analyze how compressive force applied to finger pulp affects nail strain patterns.

Main Methods:

Measured nail strain on the index finger of 10 healthy males using biaxial strain gauges.
Recorded compressive force and fingertip deformation with CCD cameras.
Applied forces from 0 to 14 N at contact angles of 30, 45, and 60 degrees.

Main Results:

Transverse nail strain increased with compressive force at a 30-degree contact angle.
Proximal-radial-transverse strain was significantly higher than proximal-ulnar-transverse and proximal-radial-longitudinal strains.
Similar strain patterns were observed at 45 and 60-degree contact angles.

Conclusions:

Nail strain distribution is anisotropic, varying with force direction, nail region (proximal vs. distal), and side (radial vs. ulnar).
These findings provide critical data for biomechanical models of the fingertip and nail.