Anonychia

/ˌænɒˈnɪkiə/ noun

Definition

A medical condition in which a person is born without fingernails or toenails, or loses them due to disease or injury.

Etymology

From Greek 'an-' (without) + 'onyx' (nail), coined in the 19th century as medical terminology. The suffix '-ia' indicates a medical condition or state.

Kelly Says

Some people with anonychia develop specialized sensory adaptations—their fingertips become more sensitive to detect textures and temperature, showing how the body compensates when losing a body part.

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