Chapter 9
bed epithelium : Thin layer of tissue that attaches the nail plate and the nail bed.
eponymous: Living skin at the base of the natural nail plate that covers the matrix area.
free edge: Part of the nail plate that extends over the tip of the finger or toe.
hyponychium: Slightly thickened layer of skin that lies between the fingertip and free edge of the natural nail plate.
ligament: Tough band of fibrous tissue that connects bones or holds an organ in place
lunula: Visible part of the matrix that extends from underneath the living skin; it is the whitish, half-moon shape at the base of the nail.
nail bed: Portion of the living skin that supports the nail plate as it grows toward the free edge.
nail cuticle: Dead, colorless tissue attached to the natural nail plate. The tissure is sticky and difficult to remove from nail plate. It's job is to seal the space between the natural nail plate and living skin.
nail folds: Folds of normal skin that surround the natural nail plate.
nail grooves: Slits or furrows on the sides of the sidewall.
nail plate: Hardened keratin plate that sits on and covers the natural nail bed. It is the most visible and functional part of the natural nail unit.
natural nail: Also known as onyx; the hard protective plate is composed mainly of keratin, the same fibrous protein found in skin and hair. The keratin in natural nails is harder than the keratin in skin or hair.
natural nail unit: Composed of the nail plate, nail bed, matrix cuticle, eponychium, hyponychium, specialized ligaments, and nail fold.
sidewall: Also known as lateral nail fold; the fold of skin overlapping the side of the nail.
nail plates: What is made of dead cells so they do not require oxygen?
nail beds: Live cells, so they do require oxygen, vitamins, and minerals.
Healthy nail: Firm, flexible, shiny surface, smooth, and unspotted with no wavy ridges, pits, or splits.
15 - 25 percent: Water content of a healthy nail.Water content directly affects the nail's flexibility.
100 layers: How many layers of nail cells make up the nail plate?
nerves, lymph, & blood vessels: What is contained in the matrix?
lateral nail fold: Also known as the sidewall.
What determines the thickness, width, and curvature of the natural nail plate? : The length, width, and curvature of the matrix
Why are toenails thicker and harder than fingernails? : The toenail matrix is longer than the fingernail matrix
What cosmetologists are permitted to do : gently push back the eponychium
The average rate of nail growth in the normal adult per month. : 1/10" (2.5 mm)
children's nails: grow more rapidly than adult nails
elderly adults: grow more slowly than adult or children's nails
summer: nails grow faster
winter : nails grow slower
middle finger: nail growth is faster than all other nails
thumb: nail growth is slower than all other nails
When the shape of thickness of the nail plate can change: disease, injury or infection in matrix
4 - 6 months: How long it takes for a fingernail to be replaced
9 months - a year: How long it takes for a toenail to be replaced
keratin: fibrous protein found in the natural nail and is also found in skin and hair
Location of ligaments: The base of the matrix and around the wedges of the nail bed
living tissue: The eponychium grows up to the nail plate
dead tissue: The cuticle adhered to the nail plate
poor nail appearance: affected if an individual is in poor health, if a nail disorder or dsease is present, or it ther has been an injury to the matrix
true color of matrix: The lighter color of the lunula
integumentary system: The natural nail is part of this system
Appendage of the skin: The natural nail
cuticle moisturizers, softerners & conditioners: Treatment of eponychium, sidewalls, and hyponychium - not the cuticle
cuticle remover: What removes the dead cuticle tissue?
sudoiferous (sweat) glands: The nail bed does not perspire. It is the skin around the nail that perspires.
matrix cells: What forms the nail plate?
porous: The nail plate allows water to pass throught it