Nail Structure & Growth Flashcards
Study these vocabulary words from Chapter 9.
bed epithelium
BeD ep-ih-Thee-lee-um
Thin layer of tissue that attaches the nail plate and the nail bed.
cuticle
KYoo-tih-kul
Dead, colorless tissue attached to the natural nail plate
eponychium
ep-oh-NIK-ee-um
Living skin at the base of the natural nail plate that covers the matrix area.
free edge
Part of the nail plate that extends over the tip of the finger or toe.
hyponychium
hy-poh-NIK-ee-um
Slightly thickened layer of skin under the nail that lies between the fingertip and free edge of the natural nail plate.
ligament
lIG-uh-munt
Tough band of fibrous tissue that connects bones or holds an organ in place.
lunula
loo-nuh-luh
Visible part of the matrix that extends from underneath the living skin; it is the whitish, half-moon shape at the base of the nail.
matrix
MAY-trikz
Area where the nail plate cells are formed; this area is composed of matrix cells that produce the nail plate.
nail bed
Portion of the living skin that supports the nail plate as it grows toward the free edge.
nail folds
Folds of normal skin that surround the natural nail plate.
nail groove
Furrow on each side of the nail.
nail malformation
When the nail is abnormal in shape or form.
nail plate
Hardened keratin plate that sits on and covers the natural nail bed. It is the most visible and functional part of the natural nail unit.
nail unit
Composed of several major parts of the fingernail including the nail plate, nail bed, matrix, cuticle, eponychium, hyponychium, specialized ligaments, and nail fold. Together, all of these parts form the nail unit.
natural nail
Also known as onyx; the hard protective plate is composed mainly of keratin, the same fibrous protein found in skin and hair. The keratin in natural nails is harder than the keratin in skin or hair.
