ABSTRACT
The lateral nail folds are rolls that ensheath the nail plate on the lateral sides. They merge proximally with the proximal folds and distally with the hyponychium. They are often very pronounced in the lesser toes and sometimes the big toes promoting ingrowing nails. The lateral grooves are flat indentations framing the lateral nail margins and providing an abutment for the nail, for which they have a specialized connective tissue arrangement.
