CH 4 Flashcards
nail structure, disorders, diseases
what is the natural nail unit made up of
nail bed, matrix, nail plate, cuticle, eponychium, hyponychium, specialized ligaments, nail folds
all parts of fingers from tip to first knuckle
what is the onyx
another word for natural nail unit. it is made mostly of keratin (fiber shaped protein. keratin in nails is stronger than in skin hair)
what does a healthy nail look like
flexible, shiney, slightly pink. whitish /translucent, pinkish/beige color of nail bed below showing thru
what are nail folds
folds of skin around nail plate.folds form the nail groove on each side of nail. the lateral nail fold (sidewall) overlaps side of nail
what is the proximal nail fold
entire flap of skin covering matrix. extending from edge of nail plate to first joint of finger which shields and protects sensitive area
what does it mean when a nail is keratinized
small outer layer of tissues undergoes process causing surface cells produce larger amount of keratin which hardens PNF tissue giving it different appearance. this hardening created protective outer barrier that resists attack of infection/harmful chemicals
the area where skin meets nail plate, it has a different appearance d/t keratinization
what is the nail plate
hardened keratin plate sits on top of nail bed. most visible and functional part of nail
formed by matrix cells. made of 50 layers of nail cells. grows forward from matrix
what is the free edge
part of nail plate that extends over tip of finger/toe
how is the nail plate porous
absorbs moisture. healthy nail has water content between 15-25 %. water content effects nails flexibility. lower water=more rigid
what is the nail bed
living skin supports nail plate as it grows toward free edge. it is pink because its richly supplied with blood vessels. pink extends from lunula just before free edge if nail
nail bed contains nerves and attached to nail plate by thin layer of tissue called BED EPITHELIUM.
what is the bed epithlium
thin layer of tissue attached to nail plate. helps guide the nail plate along the nail bed as it grows.
what is the matrix
area where nail plate cells are formed. extends from under nail fold at base of nail plate. composed of matrix cells. as long as its nourished/healthy it will create new plate cells
what is the lunula
whitish half moon shape under base of nail plate. caused by reflection of light. everyone has one but not all are visible.
what is the cuticle
dead colorless tissue attached to nail plate. comes from eponychium, located on underside of skin lying above natural nail plate. strongly adhered to upper surface of nail plate as it grows outward. forms important seal PNF and nail plate -preventing infectious organisms getting under skin to infect matrix/bone
what is a cuticle moisturizer, softener, conditioners confused for
they are not for the cuticle. they are for the PNF, lateral sidewalls and hyponychium. NOT FOR CUTICLE
what is the eponychium
living skin under PNF found at base of nail plate. covers matrix area. thin tissue only one layer of stem cells. MISTAKEN FOR CUTICLE
What are the differences between PNF and cuticle
cuticle:
adheres directly to nail plate but easily removed
thin and colorless but easily visible.
dead tissue and not attached to living skin
PNF:
cover nail plate/matrix EXCEPT lunula
will bleed if you cut tissue
can push it back but prohibited from cutting (living tissue)
what is hyponychium
thick layer if skin between fingertip and free edge of nail plate. forms protective barrier preventing microorganisms from invading/infecting nail bed. treat gently-when damaged nail plate can separate from nail bed making infections under nail plate possible
what is a ligament vs a specialized ligament
ligament- tough band of fibrous tissue connecting bones/holding organs in place
specialized ligament- attached nail bed and matrix bed to underlying bone. located at base of matrix /around edges of bed
what affects nail growth
nutrition, exercise, general health. nothing can make nail plate grow thicker. grow faster in summer. middle finger grows fastest. thumb grows slowest. toes grow slower than fingers.
nail plate malformation
change of shape / thickness can be d/t damage/infection. complete replacement of nail plate takes 4-6 months. toenails take 9-1year to replace. nail plates don’t shed automatically/perioducally like hair does
how do nails grow
nail matrix constantly creating new nail cells
each time a new cell is created-it pushes previously created nail plates upward away from matrix.
what are the 2 ways u can you help clients with nail disorders
- tell them what you observes and refer to physician
- improve appearance if problem is cosmetic NOT medical
when should you refuse services
infected skin, inflamed, broken, swollen.
ingrown toes. refer to physician
explain some nail disorders
beaus lines- depressions across width of nail bed d/t slow production of matrix cells.
leukonychia- white spots caused by minor injury
melanonchia- darkening of nails caused by increased pigment cells
nail pterygium- stretching of epiconychium around nail plate. (skin coming onto nail) never push back
onycgophagy- bitten nails
onychorrhexis-split brittle nails
pincer nail- trumpet nail. big curve of free edge- curl into skin
plicated nail- folded nail
splinter hemorrhage- damage to capillaries -physical trauma
explain some nail diseases
onycholysis- separation of nail plate and bed
onychocryptosis- ingrown
onycginadesus- seperation/falling off of nail plate from nail bed
onychomycosis- fungal infection
onychosis- inflammation of matrix. shedding d/t injury
paronychia- bacterial inflammation of tissues around nail plate-puss swelling, redness
pseudomonas aeruginosa- fast growing contageous bacteria yellow green
pyogenic granuloma- inflammation lump of red tissue
tines pedis - fungal infection of feet- athletes foot
