Nail Structure and Growth Review Questions

Questions and Answers

What is the technical term for the natural nail?

onyx

What is the major protein that makes up the natural nail?

keratin

Describe the appearance of a natural, healthy nail.

Firm but flexible; surface is shiny, smooth, and unspotted with no ridges, pits, or splits. Whitish and translucent in appearance, with the pinkish color of the nail bed.

Name the basic parts of the nail unit.

Nail plate, nail bed, matrix, cuticle, eponychium, perionychium, hyponychium, specialized ligaments, nail folds. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the difference between the nail plate and the nail bed.

The nail plate is a hardened keratin plate that covers the nail bed. The nail bed is the portion of living skin that supports the nail plate as it grows towards the free edge. Signup and view all the answers

What part of the nail unit contains the nerves, lymph, and blood vessels?

matrix Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between the cuticle and the eponychium?

Cuticle is the dead, colorless tissue attached to the natural nail plate. Eponychium is the living skin at the base of the natural nail plate covering the matrix area. Signup and view all the answers

Why are cosmetologists not allowed to cut the skin around the base of the nail plate, even if the client requests this during the service?

Cutting living skin is outside the scope of cosmetology and not allowed under any conditions or circumstances. Signup and view all the answers

What can affect the growth of the nail plate?

Seasons, pregnancy, age, nutrition, exercise, person's general health. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Nail Structure and Growth

The natural nail is technically known as onyx.
Keratin is the primary protein that composes the natural nail.
A healthy nail appears firm yet flexible, with a shiny, smooth surface free from spots, ridges, pits, or splits. It typically exhibits a whitish and translucent color, showing the pinkish hue of the nail bed underneath.
The nail unit consists of several fundamental components: nail plate, nail bed, matrix, cuticle, eponychium, perionychium, hyponychium, specialized ligaments, and nail folds.
The nail plate is a hardened layer of keratin, while the nail bed is living skin that supports the nail plate as it grows toward the free edge.
The matrix is the part of the nail unit that contains essential nerves, lymph, and blood vessels, facilitating nail growth and health.
The cuticle refers to the dead, colorless tissue attached to the nail plate, while the eponychium is the living skin covering the base of the nail plate and protecting the matrix area.
Cosmetologists are prohibited from cutting the skin around the nail plate due to safety regulations; cutting living skin is outside their professional scope and is not allowed under any condition.
Various factors can influence nail plate growth, including seasons, pregnancy, age, nutrition, exercise, and an individual's general health.

Description

Test your knowledge on the anatomy and growth of nails with this set of flashcards. Covering key terms like 'onyx' and 'keratin', this quiz provides a concise overview of healthy nail characteristics. Perfect for students in cosmetology or beauty courses.