Nail Structure and Shapes

Study Notes

Nail - A keratin plate on the tips of fingers and toes
Keratin - A fibrous protein found in hair, feathers, nails, claws, and skin
Dermis - The second layer of skin containing blood vessels, nerves, hair roots, and sweat glands
Epidermis - The outermost layer of skin

Lunula - The pearly, crescent-shaped area at the base of the nail. It's a result of closely packed cells and blood capillaries that obscure visibility.
Cuticle - The overlapping epidermis around the nail. The transparent skin, known as the "true cuticle," is removed during a manicure
Free edge - The part of the nail that can be filed and shaped.
Matrix - The living, reproducing part of the nail that contains blood vessels and nerves. It receives nourishment from the blood supply, and damage to the matrix can affect nail growth.
Nail bed - The part of the nail where the nail plate rests; it's a continuation of the matrix.
Nail walls- Folds of skin overlapping the sides of the nail
Nail plate - The visible part of the nail from the nail bed to the free edge. It's made of dead cells and has minimal moisture.

Oval nail - Common on people with long nail beds; slightly rounded at the base and slightly pointed at the tip.
Round nail - Ideal for short nails, the nail grows straight for 1.5 mm before being filed into a rounded shape.
Stiletto/Pointed nail - Filed to a point at the tip; can be weak due to the loss of nail sides that provide strength.
Square nail - Filed straight across the tip, creating a square shape.
Almond nail - Filed to a point from wide base to a narrow, rounded tip, similar to an almond.
Coffin/ Ballerina nail - Filed to a square shape at the tip and then gradually tapered to a narrow point.

Nail: A keratin plate found on the tips of fingers and toes.
Keratin: A sulfur-containing fibrous protein that forms the basis of hair, feathers, nails, claws, and hard epidermal tissues.
Dermis: The second layer of skin, containing blood vessels, nerves, hair roots, and sweat glands.
Epidermis: The top layer of skin.
Lunula: The pearly crescent-shaped area at the base of the nail, caused by tightly packed cells preventing blood capillaries from being visible.
Cuticle: The overlapping epidermis around the nail. It’s the transparent skin, called the “true cuticle,” which is removed during manicuring.
Free Edge: The part of the nail that can be filed and shaped.
Matrix: The living, reproducing part of the nail, containing blood vessels and nerves. The matrix provides nourishment to the nail cells. Damage to the matrix can affect nail growth.
Nail Bed: The part of the nail where the nail plate rests. It is a continuation of the matrix.
Nail Walls: Folds of skin that overlap the sides of the nail.
Nail Plate: The visible portion of the nail that rests on the nail bed, extending to the free edge. Made of dead cells and minimal moisture, it is semi-transparent.

Oval Nail: Common among people with long, perfect nail beds. Styled with a rounded base and slightly pointed fingertips. This shape is natural-looking and suitable for short to medium lengths.
Round Nail: Ideal for shorter nails, it involves growing the nail straight at the sides for 1.5mm and then filing the tip into a rounded shape.
Stiletto/Pointed Nail: Filed to a point at the tip, this weakens the nail as the sides, which provide strength, are removed.