STRUCTURE OF
NAILS
ELAINE JOY F. ANDAYA
TEACHER

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.
• The characteristics of healthy nails are smooth, shiny, and translucent pink.
• Its surface is smooth, curved, and unspotted, without any hollows or wavy ridges.

Nail body or Plate
It is the main part or plate
of nail that is attached to
the skin at the tip of the
finger.

Nail Root
It is where the nail growth
begins.
It is embedded underneath
the skin at the base of the
nail.

Nail body or Plate
It is the main part or plate
of nail that is attached to
the skin at the tip of the
finger.

Nail Root
It is where the nail growth
begins.
It is embedded underneath
the skin at the base of the
nail.

Nail body or Plate
It is the main part or plate
of nail that is attached to
the skin at the tip of the
finger.