What is the term for the tissue that adheres directly to the natural nail plate and can be removed with gentle scraping?

The correct term for the tissue that adheres directly to the natural nail plate and can be removed with gentle scraping is the cuticle. The cuticle is a thin layer of skin that forms a barrier between the skin surrounding the nail and the nail plate itself. It plays a vital role in protecting the nail matrix from bacteria and infection and is typically removed during manicures or nail treatments, as long as it is done gently to avoid damaging the nail or the surrounding skin.

Other terms, such as eponychium and hyponychium, refer to different parts of the nail structure. The eponychium is the living skin located at the base of the nail, which is not removed but rather pushed back during manicure processes. The hyponychium is the area of skin found beneath the free edge of the nail, which serves to protect the nail bed. Bed epithelium relates to the skin beneath the nail plate but does not adhere directly to it in the way the cuticle does. Thus, the term cuticle is specific to the tissue that directly interfaces with and can be removed from the nail plate.