Cosmetology · Nail Science

What is the technical term for the natural nail plate?

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

Correct answer

Onyx

A Lunula
B Matrix
C Onyx
D Cuticle

Why this is the answer

The natural nail plate is technically called the onyx. The nail unit also includes the matrix (where nail cells are formed and the nail grows from), the lunula (the visible whitish half-moon at the base, which is part of the matrix showing through), the nail bed (the skin beneath the nail plate), the cuticle/eponychium (the skin around the nail base), and the free edge. Knowing the parts of the natural nail and their correct terms is core nail science tested on the cosmetology exam.

Source: Scientific Concepts — Nail Anatomy

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About this topic: Nail Science

Nail science covers the structure of the natural nail (plate, bed, matrix, cuticle), nail growth, and the nail disorders and diseases that determine whether a service can go ahead. This is one of 6 Scientific Concepts questions on nail science, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

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What is the technical term for the natural nail plate?

Why this is the answer

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About this topic: Nail Science

Related questions

From which structure does the natural nail grow?

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