Abstract
In reconstruction of the finger nail, the size of the finger nail in relation to the finger tip, as reflected by the dimensions of the distal phalanx and the distal finger, is important. The subjects of this study were 32 .Japanese patients, 23 men and 9 women. The length and width of three structures … the exposed nail (from the distal end of the eponychium to the distal end of the hyponychium), the distal portion of the finger (from the distal finger crease to the finger tip), and the distal phalanx (as measured on radiographs) … were measured in all fingers of each subject.
Standard ratios of the lengths and widths of each finger were determined by comparing the dimensions of the exposed nail with those of the distal portion of the finger and the distal phalanx. The reconstruction of finger nails should be investigated in accordance with these standard ratios. The resulting ratios show that the nail of the thumb tends to be smaller than the distal phalanx and the surrounding tissue, and that the thumb is, in general, sturdily. The nails of the index finger and middle finger of the right hand tend to be longer than the nail of the thumb because they are useful for scratching.
