NAIL STRUCTURES AND SHAPES

A plate of keratin that lies on the tips of the fingers and toes that protect the fingers and toes.

• Nail

• Skin

The pearly colored and crescent shaped is due to the cells being pushed closely together

• Lunula

• Cuticle

The overlapping epidermis around the nail. It is the transparent skin that is removed during the manicuring process

• Lunula

• Cuticle

The part of the nail that can be filed and shaped

• Cuticle

• Free edge

The living reproducing part of the nail. New cells form here and continually push towards to produce the nail plate. It also contains blood vessels and nerves. Blood supply provides the cells with nourishment

• Matrix

• Nail bed

The part of the nail where the nail plate rests on, also a continuation of the matrix. It is abundantly supplied with blood vessels and nerves.

• Matrix

• Nail bed

The folds of skin that overlap the sides of the nail. They hold your nail in place and protect the nail plate edges.

• Nail walls

• Nail plate

The visible nail that rests on the nail bed up to the free edge. This is made up from dead cells and it is semi-transparent – allowing the color of blood supply of the dermis to show.

• Nail walls

• Nail plate

This is common among people with long, perfect nail beds. It may be styled slightly rounded at the base and slightly pointed at the fingertips.

• Oval

• Squoval

Gives the nail tip strength over the oval shape plus square shape.

• Oval

• Squoval