Split or brittle nails with a series of lengthwise ridges and a rough appearance to the surface of the nail plate is known as _____.

Split or brittle nails with a series of lengthwise ridges and a rough appearance to the surface of the nail plate is known as _____.

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

Answer: (A)

Lengthwise ridges with a split, rough nail plate describe onychorrhexis. This pattern means the nail plate has become brittle and cracked along its length, creating a rough texture and sometimes visible splits. It often stems from dryness, repeated trauma or chemical exposure, and can be associated with systemic conditions such as thyroid disease or psoriasis. By contrast, onychomycosis is a fungal infection that thickens and discolors the nail, onychia is inflammation of the nail matrix with redness and swelling and possible nail loss, and onycholysis is the separation of the nail plate from the nail bed, usually starting at the tip or edges. So the described nails fit onychorrhexis.

Lengthwise ridges with a split, rough nail plate describe onychorrhexis. This pattern means the nail plate has become brittle and cracked along its length, creating a rough texture and sometimes visible splits. It often stems from dryness, repeated trauma or chemical exposure, and can be associated with systemic conditions such as thyroid disease or psoriasis. By contrast, onychomycosis is a fungal infection that thickens and discolors the nail, onychia is inflammation of the nail matrix with redness and swelling and possible nail loss, and onycholysis is the separation of the nail plate from the nail bed, usually starting at the tip or edges. So the described nails fit onychorrhexis.