What is the medical condition caused by the physical separation of the nail plate from the nail bed known as?

The medical condition that describes the separation of the nail plate from the nail bed is known as onycholysis. This condition typically occurs when the tissue under the nail becomes damaged, often due to trauma, infection, or certain skin conditions. It is characterized by the lifting or separation of the nail from the nail bed, which can lead to changes in the appearance of the nail and may be accompanied by discomfort or pain.

Onychomycosis refers to a fungal infection of the nails, which does not describe the physical separation of the nail from the bed. Onychysis is not a recognized term in the context you're asking about, while paronychia is an infection of the skin surrounding the nail, usually caused by bacteria or fungi, but it does not involve the separation of the nail from the nail bed either. Understanding these distinctions is important for identifying nail disorders accurately.