3: Structure Of The Nail / Nail Growth Flashcards
- What are nails and what are they made of? (Structure of the nail)
- nails are hardened keratinized plates called finger nails which protect the fingers and enhance dexterity
- nail is whitish and colour of dermis can be seen through it
- What is the formal name for the nail?
-Onyx
- Describe a normal, healthy nail:
-firm and flexible
- Describe how a healthy nail surface looks:
-surface should be smooth, curved, and unspotted without any hollows or wavy ridges.
- Name the three parts of the nail structure:
- Nail body or Nail plate
- Nail root
- Free Edge
- Describe the nail body/ plate:
- area that is visible
- main part of the nail which is attached to the skin at the top of the finger
- Describe the nail root:
- this is where the nail grows and is also called germinal matrix
- found underneath the skin at the base of the nail and is embedded in the stratum germinativum.
- fastens the nail to the finger or toe by fitting into a groove in the skin
- nail root originates from the matrix where it subdivides through mitosis to the lunula.
- Describe the free edge of the nail:
- the part that is white and extends past the end of the finger
- the part we file and shape during a manicure and pedicure
- Describe the Nail bed (parts underneath the nail)
- the portion of the skin on which the nail body rests
- secures nail to toes and fingers and is supplied with many blood vessels which provide nourishment for the continued growth
- abundantly supplied with nerves
- Describe the nail matrix
- extending beneath the nail root, contains nerves, lymph and blood vessels
- produces nail cells and Congolese the rate of growth of the nail as its cells undergo a reproducing and hardening process
- matrix will continue to grow as long as it remains in a healthy condition
- injury to the matrix may cause deformation in the nail or stop the growth of the nail.
- heart of the nail where special skin cells are formed to make the nail plate
- Describe the Lunula
- the visible half moon, whitish area at the base of the nail body
- where the matrix connects with the nail bed
- pale colour of the lunula is due to its lessened blood supply in this region of the matrix
- lunula will exist in varying degrees in all the nails
- Describe the cuticle
- the overlapping part of the epidermis around the nail creating a fold
-it protects the nail bed and prevents particles from entering under the nail plate
-consists of:
—eponychium
—hyponychium
—perionychium
- Describe the Eponychium
The extension of the cuticle at the base of the nail body overlapping the lunula
- Describe the hyponychium:
-the portion of the epidermis under the free edge
- Describe the Perionychium:
-the part of the skin that surrounds the entire nail area
- What is a Sole Horn?
- this type of cuticle is a layer of translucent, dead tissue that is shed from the seal between the nail plate and the hyponychium.
- either sloughs off on its on or is removed during manicure
- if not properly removed can become stained with nicotine and/ or other chemicals and will give the appearance that the distal edge of the nail plate is discoloured
- Describe the nail mantle:
- the soft tissue that protects the emerging nail plate.
- the nail root is embedded into the nail fold
- it is the base of the nail where new cells are produced
**Describe the lateral nail fold:
-an extension of the proximal nail fold which protects each side of the nail plate
- Describe the nail groove:
Grooves or tracks on either side of the nail bed which the nail grows on
- Describe the Onychondermal band:
- the seal between the nail plate and the hyponychium
- found just under the free edge and can be recognized by its glassy, greyish colour
- What is the average rate of nail growth?
- in the normal adult, about 1mm or less per day
- rate of growth varies from digit to digit and individual to individual, with age, environmental temperature and other factors, even with the time of the day
- What is the speed of the nail growth also directly related to?
- the length of the digit: the longer the finger,the faster the growth (probably due to more blood supply and activity of the area)
- middle finger is the fastest and pinky is the slowest (0.5-1.2 mm/ week)
- In what season do nails grow more rapidly?
-grow more rapidly in summer than in winter due to heat that stimulates blood circulation to the nails
- In which people do nails grow more rapidly and more slowly?
- grow more rapidly in children and pregnant women
- grow more slowly in elderly people
- When does growth of nails peak in life and when does it begin to decline?
- growth peaks at 10-14 years of age
- slowly declines after the age of 20
- Describe briefly how the nail grows:
-grows forward, starting at the matrix and extending over the tips of the fingers
- Describe the rate of growth and consistency of toe nails compared to finger nails:
-although they grow more slowly they are harder and thicker
- What rate of nail growth do people who use their hands a lot usually experience?
-people who use their hands a lot usually experience a faster rate of nail growth
- Describe the rate of growth for the thumb finger nail on the dominant hand VS. the non dominant hand:
-finger nail on the thumb of the non-dominant hand will grow faster than the dominant hand
- What are factors in a slow nail growth rate?
- Heredity and health
- How often you use your hands
- Poor circulation
- Malnutrition
- Lactation
- Serious infections
- Psoriasis
- Certain medications
- Immobilization or paralysation
Healthy nails have a combination of:
Strength, hardness and flexibility
Describe the strength characteristic of the nails:
How likely the nail plate is to break under force
Describe the hardness characteristic of the nails:
-measures how easily the nail plate is dented or scratched
Describe the flexibility characteristic of the nail:
-determines how much of the plate will bend before breaking
Describe the toughness characteristic of the nails:
-a combination of strength and flexibility creates the ideal nail plate
- Describe how exposure to water affects nail health:
- water will absorb into the nail plate causing the cells to shift and change shape
- repeated or prolonged exposure to water can result in dry, split , brittle or peeling nails
- Describe how household solvents (cleaners) affects the nails:
- can have a lasting affect on the nail plate or result in irritant or allergic contact dermatitis from overexposure
- the symptoms are usually red, swollen, irritated or itchy skin
**spa therapists recommend that their client wears protective gloves when exposing themselves to excess amounts of water or household cleaners
