The NailThe Nail

Structure and functionStructure and function

What will you learn?What will you learn?

• The structure of the human nailThe structure of the human nail

• The function of the nail in generalThe function of the nail in general

• The function of the individual parts of The function of the individual parts of the nailthe nail

• Factors affecting nail health and Factors affecting nail health and growthgrowth

Structure of the nailStructure of the nail

What is a nail?What is a nail?

• The nail is made up of 3 parts:The nail is made up of 3 parts:

the matrixthe matrix

the nail platethe nail plate

the free edgethe free edge

• The nail forms a protective covering The nail forms a protective covering for the ends of the fingers/toes for the ends of the fingers/toes

Functions of the nailFunctions of the nail

• Protect the tips of the fingers/toes Protect the tips of the fingers/toes Contains the hardest from of keratinContains the hardest from of keratin

• Help to grasp small objectsHelp to grasp small objects

• ScratchingScratching

Structure of the nailStructure of the nail

MatrixMatrix• Very sensitive and easily damaged. Very sensitive and easily damaged.

Any damage here will be permanent.Any damage here will be permanent.• Only living part of the nailOnly living part of the nail• Function is to grow and replace cells Function is to grow and replace cells

that form the matrixthat form the matrix• Quality, strength and health of the Quality, strength and health of the

nail is determind by the matrixnail is determind by the matrix

Nail bedNail bed• Soft tissue underneath the nail plateSoft tissue underneath the nail plate• Contains nerves, lymph & blood vessels.Contains nerves, lymph & blood vessels.• Part of the finger which the nail plate sits Part of the finger which the nail plate sits

on.on.• Grooves interlink with the those on the Grooves interlink with the those on the

underside of the nail plate to help keep it underside of the nail plate to help keep it in place.in place.

Nail plateNail plate• Lies on top of the nail bedLies on top of the nail bed• Main part of the nailMain part of the nail• Pink colour due to soft tissue underneath Pink colour due to soft tissue underneath

being seenbeing seen• Made of layers of fat, moisture and growth Made of layers of fat, moisture and growth

cells cells • Attached to blood vessels and nerve Attached to blood vessels and nerve

endingsendings

CuticleCuticle• Overlapping skin around the base of Overlapping skin around the base of

the nail.the nail.• Protects the matrix from invading Protects the matrix from invading

bacteria and physical damage.bacteria and physical damage.• The The eponychiumeponychium is the cuticle at is the cuticle at

the base of the nail.the base of the nail.• The The peronychiumperonychium is the cuticle at is the cuticle at

the sides of the nail.the sides of the nail.

LunulaLunula• Light coloured, half moon shaped area at Light coloured, half moon shaped area at

the base of the nailthe base of the nail• Area where the matrix connects with the Area where the matrix connects with the

nail bednail bed• Its colour is due to new cells being pushed Its colour is due to new cells being pushed

tightly together meaning that the blood tightly together meaning that the blood capillaries cannot be seen.capillaries cannot be seen.

Nail wallNail wall• Skin on the sides of the nail above the nail Skin on the sides of the nail above the nail

groovesgrooves• Provide a guide to the growing nailProvide a guide to the growing nail

Nail grooveNail groove• Slits of tracks in the nail bed at the sides Slits of tracks in the nail bed at the sides

of the nailof the nail• Nail sits on these Nail sits on these • Helps to keep the nail in placeHelps to keep the nail in place

Free edgeFree edge• The part of the nail that extends beyond The part of the nail that extends beyond

the tip of the nail.the tip of the nail.• Protects the fingertip from damage .Protects the fingertip from damage .• Helps you to scratch or grasp.Helps you to scratch or grasp.

Bones of the hand and wristBones of the hand and wrist

• The wrist is divided into 3 sectionsThe wrist is divided into 3 sections

• Carpals – Carpals – 8 small bones making up the 8 small bones making up the wristwrist

• Metacarpals – Metacarpals – make up the palm, 1 make up the palm, 1 metacarpal on each finger and thumbmetacarpal on each finger and thumb

• Phalanges – Phalanges – make up the fingers and make up the fingers and thumb, 3 in each finger, 2 in the thumbthumb, 3 in each finger, 2 in the thumb

Nail GrowthNail Growth

• Average nail growth is 0.5mm – 1.2 mm – takes 5-6 Average nail growth is 0.5mm – 1.2 mm – takes 5-6 months to grow from matrix to free edgemonths to grow from matrix to free edge

• Growth is quicker in summer than winterGrowth is quicker in summer than winter• Growth slows as you ageGrowth slows as you age• Fingernails grow faster than toenailsFingernails grow faster than toenails• Growth will be affected by:Growth will be affected by:

ageagegeneral healthgeneral healthmedicationmedicationdietingdietinghormonal disordershormonal disordersdamage to the matrixdamage to the matrix

Nail ShapesNail Shapes

• Usually mirror the line of the cuticleUsually mirror the line of the cuticle• Vary with each individualVary with each individual• When shaping the nails consider:When shaping the nails consider:

1. shape of the existing nail1. shape of the existing nail

2. client’s lifestyle and job2. client’s lifestyle and job

3. what the client wants3. what the client wants

4. shape of the cuticles4. shape of the cuticles

Different nail shapesDifferent nail shapes

SquareSquare• Good for short nails or Good for short nails or

long fingerslong fingers• Less likely to break as Less likely to break as

the nail wall provides the nail wall provides good supportgood support

• Ideal for those who do Ideal for those who do manual work e.g. manual work e.g. typists, medical staff, typists, medical staff, cleanerscleaners

• Not good for short Not good for short fingersfingers

OvalOval• All purpose nail shapeAll purpose nail shape• Flatters and softens Flatters and softens

the appearance of the the appearance of the handshands

• Makes fingers look Makes fingers look longerlonger

• Hardwearing because Hardwearing because of smooth edges and of smooth edges and flexible shapeflexible shape

RoundRound• Practical nail shapePractical nail shape• Hardwearing, Hardwearing,

strong and neatstrong and neat• Not as flattering to Not as flattering to

finger shape and finger shape and lengthlength

PointedPointed• Try to avoid this Try to avoid this

shapeshape• Nails have no Nails have no

support from the support from the nail wall and nail wall and therefore weaken therefore weaken and break easilyand break easily

SquovalSquoval• Balance between Balance between

square and ovalsquare and oval• Common shapeCommon shape• Good for most Good for most

lengthslengths