What is the term for the fold of hard skin overlapping the base and sides of a fingernail or toenail?

The correct term for the fold of hard skin that overlaps the base and sides of a fingernail or toenail is the nail wall. The nail wall serves as a protective barrier for the edges of the nail, helping to keep out germs and debris.

Additionally, while the cuticle is often confused with the nail wall, it specifically refers to the layer of dead skin at the base of the nail that helps protect the area where the nail grows from infection. The nail matrix is the tissue located underneath the base of the nail responsible for nail growth, and the nail bed is the area beneath the nail plate that supports the nail itself. Each of these terms refers to different parts of the nail anatomy, but the nail wall is specifically what overlaps the sides and base of the nail.