What is the term for thickening of the nail plate?

• A. Onychauxis
• B. Onychia
• C. Onychomycosis
• D. Onycholysis

Answer: (A)

Thickening of the nail plate is called onychauxis. This term describes an abnormally thick nail plate itself, which can occur with aging, repeated trauma, or other conditions that cause the nail to grow out thicker than normal. It’s different from onychia, which is inflammation of the nail matrix or surrounding tissue; onychomycosis, a fungal infection that can cause thickening among other signs; and onycholysis, the separation of the nail plate from the nail bed.