PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Shari R. Lipner
AU  - Richard K. Scher
TI  - Evaluation of nail lines: Color and shape hold clues
AID  - 10.3949/ccjm.83a.14187
DP  - 2016 May 01
TA  - Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
PG  - 385--391
VI  - 83
IP  - 5
4099  - http://www.ccjm.org/content/83/5/385.short
4100  - http://www.ccjm.org/content/83/5/385.full
SO  - Cleve Clin J Med2016 May 01; 83
AB  - Nail lines are a common presenting finding. A thorough inspection of the fingernails and toenails is an integral part of the complete physical examination. An understanding of basic nail anatomy and familiarity with several basic types of nail line enable the clinician to diagnose and treat nail disorders and to recognize underlying systemic diseases, as each type of nail line has a particular differential diagnosis. The authors review leukonychia striata (white lines), longitudinal melanonychia (brown-black lines), longitudinal erythronychia (red lines), and nail-plate grooves (Beau lines).