Where is the nail bed located in relation to the nail plate?

The nail bed is located underneath the nail plate. It is a specialized tissue that extends from the area of the lunula (the white crescent-shaped area at the base of the nail) to the point where the nail grows out and is visible. The nail bed provides support and nourishment to the nail plate, which is the hard, visible part of the nail. This relationship is crucial for the health and growth of the nail, as the nail plate relies on the nail bed for its growth and stability.

Other options relate to different aspects of the nail anatomy but do not accurately describe the position of the nail bed in relation to the nail plate. For example, stating that the nail bed is above the free edge misrepresents the anatomical structure since the free edge is the distal part of the nail that extends past the fingertip. Indicating that the nail bed is below the cuticle is misleading because the cuticle is a layer of skin that covers the base of the nail plate, while the nail bed is situated underneath the entire nail plate itself. Describing it as next to the sidewalls also does not capture the nail bed's position; the sidewalls refer to the folds of skin on either side of the nail, which are separate from the