3: Structure Of The Nail / Nail Growth

Question 1

• What are nails and what are they made of? (Structure of the nail)

Answer 1

• 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

Question 2

• What is the formal name for the nail?

Answer 2

-Onyx

Question 3

• Describe a normal, healthy nail:

Answer 3

-firm and flexible

Question 4

• Describe how a healthy nail surface looks:

Answer 4

-surface should be smooth, curved, and unspotted without any hollows or wavy ridges.

Question 5

• Name the three parts of the nail structure:

Answer 5

1. Nail body or Nail plate
2. Nail root
3. Free Edge

Question 6

• Describe the nail body/ plate:

Answer 6

• area that is visible

- main part of the nail which is attached to the skin at the top of the finger

Question 7

• Describe the nail root:

Answer 7

• 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.

Question 8

• Describe the free edge of the nail:

Answer 8

• the part that is white and extends past the end of the finger
• the part we file and shape during a manicure and pedicure

Question 9

• Describe the Nail bed (parts underneath the nail)

Answer 9

• 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

Question 10

• Describe the nail matrix

Answer 10

• 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

Question 11

• Describe the Lunula

Answer 11

• 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

Question 12

• Describe the cuticle

Answer 12

• 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

Question 13

• Describe the Eponychium

Answer 13

The extension of the cuticle at the base of the nail body overlapping the lunula

Question 14

• Describe the hyponychium:

Answer 14

-the portion of the epidermis under the free edge

Question 15

• Describe the Perionychium:

Answer 15

-the part of the skin that surrounds the entire nail area

Question 16

• What is a Sole Horn?

Answer 16

• 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

Question 17

• Describe the nail mantle:

Answer 17

• 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

Question 18

**Describe the lateral nail fold:

Answer 18

-an extension of the proximal nail fold which protects each side of the nail plate

Question 19

• Describe the nail groove:

Answer 19

Grooves or tracks on either side of the nail bed which the nail grows on

Question 20

• Describe the Onychondermal band:

Answer 20

• the seal between the nail plate and the hyponychium

- found just under the free edge and can be recognized by its glassy, greyish colour

Question 21

• What is the average rate of nail growth?

Answer 21

• 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

Question 22

• What is the speed of the nail growth also directly related to?

Answer 22

• 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)

Question 23

• In what season do nails grow more rapidly?

Answer 23

-grow more rapidly in summer than in winter due to heat that stimulates blood circulation to the nails

Question 24

• In which people do nails grow more rapidly and more slowly?

Answer 24

• grow more rapidly in children and pregnant women

- grow more slowly in elderly people

Question 25

• When does growth of nails peak in life and when does it begin to decline?

Answer 25

• growth peaks at 10-14 years of age

- slowly declines after the age of 20

Question 26

• Describe briefly how the nail grows:

Answer 26

-grows forward, starting at the matrix and extending over the tips of the fingers

Question 27

• Describe the rate of growth and consistency of toe nails compared to finger nails:

Answer 27

-although they grow more slowly they are harder and thicker

Question 28

• What rate of nail growth do people who use their hands a lot usually experience?

Answer 28

-people who use their hands a lot usually experience a faster rate of nail growth

Question 29

• Describe the rate of growth for the thumb finger nail on the dominant hand VS. the non dominant hand:

Answer 29

-finger nail on the thumb of the non-dominant hand will grow faster than the dominant hand

Question 30

• What are factors in a slow nail growth rate?

Answer 30

1. Heredity and health
2. How often you use your hands
3. Poor circulation
4. Malnutrition
5. Lactation
6. Serious infections
7. Psoriasis
8. Certain medications
9. Immobilization or paralysation

Question 31

Healthy nails have a combination of:

Answer 31

Strength, hardness and flexibility

Question 32

Describe the strength characteristic of the nails:

Answer 32

How likely the nail plate is to break under force

Question 33

Describe the hardness characteristic of the nails:

Answer 33

-measures how easily the nail plate is dented or scratched

Question 34

Describe the flexibility characteristic of the nail:

Answer 34

-determines how much of the plate will bend before breaking

Question 35

Describe the toughness characteristic of the nails:

Answer 35

-a combination of strength and flexibility creates the ideal nail plate

Question 36

• Describe how exposure to water affects nail health:

Answer 36

• 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

Question 37

• Describe how household solvents (cleaners) affects the nails:

Answer 37

• 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