Nail Structure and Growth Review Questions

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.