What is "hyponychium"

n. (context anatomy English) The thickened epithelium beneath a nail or claw

The hyponychium is the area of epithelium, particularly the thickened portion, underlying the free edge of the nail plate on the nail. Its proximal border is immediately distal to distal limit of nail bed—aka the onychodermal band (the line along the interface of the nail bed and the nail plate). Its distal border the free edge of the nail plate—or where that edge would project downwards onto the epidermis.