title: [The use of nails to diagnosis diseases].
abstract: For those interested in nails, a fairly good knowledge of the anatomy of the nail unit is indispensable. But nothing will replace a careful, clinical examination of the nail apparatus. The shape of the nail, surface abnormalities and coloration, with or without a magnifying glass, may well provide a medical diagnosis not only in dermatology but also for medicine in general. Pits on the surface of the nail plate may be enough to diagnose psoriasis on a limited area of scalp dandruff. Even partial detachment of the nail apparatus might lead to the suspicion of psoriatic arthritis. A triangular lunula is associated with the absence of patellas. Finally, no pulmonary examination of a smoker is complete without looking for clubbing. It is high time to pay tribute to the nail.
authors.affiliation: Nail disease centre, 42, rue des Serbes, 06400 Cannes, France. Electronic address: baran.r@wanadoo.fr.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Baran
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D009260:Nail Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D009262:Nails / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D009264:Nails, Malformed / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods*