DO THE ACTIVITY OR ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BELOW IN YOUR NOTEBOOK.

1. Draw and identify the anatomy and function of the nails.

2. What are the skin surrounding the nail?
3. What are the five shapes of nail? Draw and describe.

Reference: Learning Module Beauty Care pages 39-41

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Structure of Nails

It is very important for a manicurist to learn and understand the anatomy and
function of the nails so you could give your clients a professional and responsible
service and care.

Nails are a part of the skin and are made up of the same protein, keratin (KER-a-
tin), as skin and hair. It is composed of then hardest keratin. The technical term for nail
in onyx ( ON-iks). The purpose of nails is to protect the ends of fingers and toes and to
help the fingers grasp small objects. Adult fingernails grow at an average rate of 1/8
inch a month; toenails grow more easily. The characteristics of healthy nails are
smooth, shiny, and translucent pink. Its surface is smooth, curved, and unspotted,
without any hollows or wavy ridges.

Normally, nails replace themselves every four months and grow more quickly in
summer than in winter. The nail grows fastest on the middle finger and slowest on the
thumb.

The entire nail structure consists of the parts of the actual nail and structures of
skin beneath and surrounding the nail.

Below is the diagram of the nail and its structure.

The actual nail consists of the nail body, nail root, and free edge.

 Nail body or Plate - is the main part or plate of nail that is attached to the skin
at the tip of the finger.
 Nail root - is where the nail growth begins. It is embedded underneath the skin
at the base of the nail.
 Free edge - is the end of the nail that extends beyond the fingertip.

Structure Beneath the Nail

The structures beneath the nail include the nail bed. matrix, and lunula.

 Nail Bed is the portion of skin beneath the nail body that the nail plates rest
upon. Its is supplied with blood vessels that provide the nourishment necessary
for nail growth. The nail bed also contains nerves.
 Matrix (May-triks) contains nerves together with lymph and blood vessels that
produce the nail cells and control the rate of growth of the nails. It is located
under the nail root. The matrix is the very sensitive part of the nail and if injured
will produce nails with irregular growth and disorders.

Note: Be careful not to apply excessive pressure to this area during a manicure.

 Lunula is the light-colored half-moon shape at the base of the nail. This is
where the matrix connects with the nail bed.

Skin Surrounding the nail

The skin surrounding the nail includes the cuticle, nail fold, nail grooves, nail
wall, eponychium, perionychium, and hyponychium.

 Cuticle( KYOO-ti-kel) is the overlapping skin around the nail. A normal cuticle
should be loose and pliable.
 Nail Fold Or Mantle (MAN-tel) is the deep fold or skin at the base of the nail
where the nail root is embedded.
 Nail Grooves are slits or tracks in the nail bed at the sides of the nail on which
the nail grows.
 Nail Wall is the skin on the sides of the nail above the grooves.
 Eponychium (ep-o-NIK-ee-um) is the thin line of skin at the base of the nail that
extends from the nail wall to the nail plate.
 Perionychium (PER-i-o-nikee-um) is the part of the skin that surrounds the
entire nail area.
 Hyponychium (heye-poh-NIK-ee-um) is the part of the skin under the free edge
of the nail.
 Shapes of Nail

The shapes of your nail should conform to your fingertips. Below are the
different shapes of the nail:

Oval nail Square nail Round nail Squoval nail Pointed nail

1. Oval Nail

It is common among people with long, perfect nail beds. It may be styled slightly
rounded at the base and slightly pointed at the fingertips. Most often this type of nail
has a natural look and looks very good in short-medium length.

2. Square nail

It is created by allowing the nail to grow out straight and then filing the tip straight
across at right angles with the rest of the nail plate.

3. Round Nail

This is ideal for shorter nails. The nail is ideal to grow out at the sides for
approximately 1.5 mm and then the tip is filed into a rounded shape. This is a strong
shape which is great for those who keep their nails short.

4. Squoval Nail

The squoval nail is a square nail but the softer edges of an oval.

5. Pointed Nail

A pointed nail is filed away at the sides to a point at the tip; this shape is very
weak as the sides of the nail (which provide the strength) are totally lost.