Nail Structure & Growth

A normal , health nail surface _______________________.

• completely inflexible

• has a spotted surface

• is shiny and smooth

• is white and opaque

The portion of the living skin that supports the nail plate as it grows toward the free edge is called the ______________

• nail bed

• cuticle

• matrix

• ligament

The _____________ is the whitish, half-moon shape underneath the base of the nail.

• sidewall

• lunula

• root

• free edge

The part of the nail plate that extends over the tip of the finger or toe is the ______________________.

• free edge

• matrix

• bed epithelium

• side wall

A _____________ is a tough band of fibrous tissue that connects bones or holds an organ in place.

• muscle

• ligament

• tendon

• nerve

The _____ is the fold of skin overlapping the side of the nail.

• eponychium

• hyponychium

• nail groove

• side wall

As long as the ____________ is nourished and healthy, new nail plate cells will be created.

• lateral nail fold

• lunula

• matrix

• nail plate

Ordinarily, replacement of a natural fingernail takes about _____________

• 6 to 12 months

• 4 to 6 months

• 6 to 8 months

• 2 to 8 months

The nail growth rate on the ____________ is typically the slowest.

• thumb

• middle finger

• pinkie finger

• index finger

The nail has a water content between

• 10 to 15 %

• 1 and 5 %

• 20 and 45 %

• 15 and 25 %