Chapter 5 Nail Structure

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

ligament

Cuticle moisturizers are designed for all EXCEPT ___________.

the cuticle

What are the characteristics of a normal, healthy nail?

firm and flexible

The ____ is the part of the nail plate that extends over the tip of the finger or toe.

free edge

The growth of the nail plate is affected by all of the following EXCEPT __________.

genes

Which nail grows the slowest?

thumb nail

What is the average rate of nail plate growth in normal adults per month?

1/10 to 1/8 inch per month

The nail plate has approximately how many nail cell layers?

100

What is the water content of a healthy nail?

15 to 25 percent

How long does it take for fingernail plates to be fully replaced?

4 to 6 months

How long does it take for toenail plates to be fully replaced?

9 to 12 months

Which of the following groups of people would have the fastest growing nails?

Children

Why must the hyponychium be treated gently?

If the hyponychium is damaged, an infection under the nail plate is possible.

Stephanie is pregnant. She is talking to her cosmetologist friend, Charlie, about how wonderful her prenatal vitamins have been for her hair and nail growth. What could Charlie tell Stephanie about her nail growth?

Nail growth rates accelerate during pregnancy whether she is taking prenatal vitamins or not.

How would you recommend clients make their plate grow thicker?

Nothing can make the nail plate grow thicker.

What is the relationship between nail cell production and plate growth?

The faster that nail cells are produced, the faster the plate will grow.

How would you compare the relationship between the matrix and the plate?

The length, width, and curvature of the matrix determine the thickness, width, and curvature of the plate.

What is the relationship between water content and the nail?

The lower the water content, the more rigid the nail

How would you compare fingernail and toenail growth?

Toenails are thicker than fingernails because the toenail matrix is longer.

During which scenario do nail growth rates increase dramatically?

last trimester of pregnancy

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

lunula

A normal nail plate grows forward from the ____ and extends over the tip of the finger.

matrix

Which fingernail grows the fastest?

middle fingernail

What is the living skin that supports the nail plate as it grows toward the free edge?

nail bed

What part of the natural nail unit protects the tips of the fingers and toes?

nail plate

The _________ is the hard, protective plate that protects the tips of the fingers or toes.

natural nail

The _______________ is composed mainly of keratin.

onyx

The natural nail itself is technically referred to as the ____________.

onyx

Which of the following is not a part of the natural nail unit?

onyx

What color is NOT normal for a healthy nail?

reddish

During what time of year do nail plates grow fastest?

summer

What helps guide the nail plate along the nail bed as it grows?

the bed epithelium

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

the hyponychium

The proximal nail fold is the entire flap of skin that covers what?

the matrix

Angela is training to be a cosmetologist. While she is working on a client, her manager stops her because she's about to clip too close to the eponychium. What might Angela have confused the eponychium for?

the nail cuticle

The lateral nail fold is also known as ____.

the sidewall

The natural nail unit includes which part of the finger?

the tip to the first knuckle