Recently smashed my finger and lost the nail and it got me wondering what is the biological / mechanical / etc function / reason for fingernails? Sure it would be harder to grip little things, but is there a structural reason why our digits need these things?
EDIT: Follow up question. What is different about the skin underneath your nail that makes it so painful when initially exposed to air?
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>Sure it would be harder to grip little things
That’s why. Having a flattened claw on the back of your finger provides counter pressure when gripping small objects. Humans are as successful as we are because of our ability to create complex tools. Creating and using these tools require extreme dexterity and humans have the most agile hands on the planet when it comes to manipulating small details. Our fingernails aid in this. It’s the kind of thing you don’t notice until it’s gone.
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