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Nail Care

The document discusses the structure and function of nails. It identifies 12 parts of the nail including the nail bed, nail plate, free edge, hyponychium, nail grooves, matrix, nail mantle, lunula, cuticle, nail walls, perionychium, and eponychium. Each part serves an important protective or growth function. The nail bed supplies nourishment, the nail plate protects the nail bed, the free edge protects the fingertip, the matrix produces new nail cells, and other parts like the cuticle and nail walls provide further protection. Understanding nail anatomy provides insight for proper nail care and art.

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Minalin Fire Station
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592 views2 pages

Nail Care

The document discusses the structure and function of nails. It identifies 12 parts of the nail including the nail bed, nail plate, free edge, hyponychium, nail grooves, matrix, nail mantle, lunula, cuticle, nail walls, perionychium, and eponychium. Each part serves an important protective or growth function. The nail bed supplies nourishment, the nail plate protects the nail bed, the free edge protects the fingertip, the matrix produces new nail cells, and other parts like the cuticle and nail walls provide further protection. Understanding nail anatomy provides insight for proper nail care and art.

Uploaded by

Minalin Fire Station
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MANICURE AND PEDICURE SERVICES

LESSON 1 – NAIL ANATOMY: Nail Structure and Function

Nails are one of those key parts of our body, which are not only the primary focus of
wellness regimes of many men and women, but also serve as a potent indicator of a person’s
health. Based on how fast or slow they grow, how strong or brittle they are and how shiny or
dull they look, we can gain a fair amount of insight into the inner workings of our body. But
how often do we stop and really think about what constitutes our nails, and what really is
their function?

The structure of the nail is divided into twelve parts and each serves a central
function.

1. The Nail Bed: This is the portion of skin upon which the nail plate rests. It has very
rich supply of blood and lymph vessels to keep nail healthy. The function of the nail
bed is to supply nourishment and protection.

2. Nail Plate: The nail plate is composed of layers of keratinized skin cells. The layers
are packed very closely together with fat but very little water content. The nail
gradually grows over the nail bed and becomes free edge. There are no blood
vessels or nerves in the nail plate. The pink color of the nail plate derives from the
blood vessels that passes beneath it. The main function of the nail plate is to protect
the living nail bed of the fingers and toes.
3. The Free Edge: The nail plate leaves the end of the finger and forms a projection
that is called the free edge. This is attached to the nail bed and appears as white. The
function of the free edge is to protect the fingertip and the hyponychium. This is the
part we file and shape!

4. The Hyponychium: This is a part of the epidermis under the free edge of the nail
plate. Its function is to protect the nail bed from infection.

5. The Nail Grooves: This lies alongside of the edge of the nail plate. The function of
the nail groove is to keep the nail growing in a straight line.

6. The Matrix: This is the growing area of the nail and sometimes called as the nail
root. The shape and size of the matrix determines the thickness of the nail. The
process of the keratinization takes place in the epidermal cells of the matrix,
forming the hardened tissue of the nail plate. The function of the matrix is to
produce new nail cells.

7. The Nail Mantle: The nail mantle is the layer of epidermis at the base of the nail,
before the cuticle. The function of the nail mantle is to protect the matrix from
physical damage.

8. The Lunula: This is located at the base of the nail, lying over the matrix. It is white
in color and known as half-moon. The nail is slightly soft in this area and can be
easily damaged.

9. The Cuticle: The overlapping epidermis around the base of the nail is called the
cuticle. The function of the cuticle is to protect the matrix from infection.
10. The Nail Walls: These are the folds of the skin overlapping the sides of the nails.
The function of the nail wall is to protect the nail plate edges.

11. The Perionychium: This is the collective name given to the nail walls and the
cuticle area.

12. The Eponychium: This is the extension of the cuticle at the base of the nail plate,
under which the nail plate emerges from matrix. The function of eponychium is to
protect matrix from infection.

Is that a lot of info to digest? Well, at least now you know your nails are so much more
than a bunch of dead cells! We are big on the how and why of thing. And now that you know
all that happens with these beauteous things, we can’t wait to share more with you about
caring for your nails and even creating some funky nail art.

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