Chapter 4 nail structures

Having a thorough grasp of nail structure and growth will allow you to expertly:

Groom and beautify nails

Which condition is easily addressed in the salon

Hangnail

Nail technicians must be able to differentiate between healthy and unhealthy conditions on a client nails because:

Some conditions cannot be treated in the salon

When a nail technician sees conditions that may signal mild to serious health problems, they should:

Suggest the client seek medical attention

What is the protective hard plate that protects the tips of the fingers or toes

Natural nail

The natural nail is an appendage of the skin and is part of which system

Integumentary

What is made up of several major parts, including the nail bed, matrix, nail plate, cuticle, eponychium, hyponychium, specialized ligaments, and nail folds

Natural nail unit

The natural nail itself is referred to as the:

Onyx

The nail is composed mainly of (     ), the fiber shaped protein found in the skin and hair 

Keratin

A normal, healthy nail is firm and flexible, shiny, and slightly ( ) in color

Pink

The nail folds form the nail ( ) on each side of the nail

Grooves

What is the entire flap of skin covering the matrix, extending from the edge of the visible nail plate to the first joint of the finger

Proximal nail fold

What is the hardened keratin plate that sits on top of the nail bed; it is the most visible and functional part of the nail unit

Nail plate 

What is the part of the nail plate that extends over the tip of the finger or toe

Free edge

What is the portion of living skin that supports the nail plate as it grows towards the free edge

Nail bed

The nail bed contains many nerves and is attached to the nail plate by a thin layer of tissue called the ( )

Bed epithelium

What is the area where the nail plate cells are formed and extends from under the nail fold at the base of the nail plate

Matrix

The matrix area contains nerves, lymph, and blood vessels to (    ) the matrix cells

Nourish

What is the visible part of the matrix that extends from underneath the living skin

Lunula

What becomes strongly adhered to the nail plate while still underneath the proximal nail fold and pulls away and adheres to the upper surface of the nail plate as it grows outward

Cuticle

What is the living skin underneath the proximal nail fold found at the base of the nail plate covering the matrix area

Eponychium

What is the slightly thickened layer of skin that lies between the fingertip and the free edge of the nail plate

Hyponychium

What is a tough band of fibrous tissue that connects bones or holds an organ in place

Ligament

What affects the growth of the nail plate

Nutrition

What is the average rate of nail growth in the normal adult per month

1/10” To 1/8”

Why are toenail plates thicker than fingernail plates 

The toenail matrix is longer than the matrix in fingernails 

How long does a complete replacement of the nail plate take

Four to six months

The shape or thickness of the nail plate can change because of damage or infection to the:

Matrix

As a nail technician you are licensed to:

Perform beauty and cosmetic services on consumers

What is an unhealthy condition of the nail that is either hereditary or caused by injury or disease of the nail unit

A nail disorder

What are whitish spots of discoloration of the nails, usually caused by minor injury to the nail matrix called

Leukonychia

A nail that has a dramatically increased nail curvature of the free edge 

Pincer nail 

Proper cleaning and disinfecting reduces the risk of spreading nail ( ) from client to client

Infections

Separation and falling off of a nail plate from the nail bed in either fingernails or toenails is a result of

Onychomadesis

What is an inflammation of the matrix and shedding of the nail caused by infection or injury

Onychosis

Scope of practice clearly identifies and defines

Any act that is legal for a licensee to perform in their state