Which cells are responsible for the pigmentation of the nails?

The cells responsible for the pigmentation of the nails are melanocytes. Melanocytes are specialized cells that produce melanin, the pigment that gives color to the skin, hair, and nails. In the context of the nails, these cells are typically located in the nail matrix and contribute to the color of the nails by depositing melanin into the surrounding keratinocytes, which are the primary cells that make up the structure of the nail.

While keratinocytes are crucial for forming the nail plate itself, they do not produce pigmentation. Fibroblasts are cells that contribute to the connective tissue and play a role in wound healing and the structure of skin but are not involved in pigmentation. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that is part of the immune system and does not participate in the pigmentation process of the nails. Thus, melanocytes are clearly the key players in producing the pigment that gives coloration to nails.