Oklahoma Cosmetology Board Practice Exam

Which area of the body is referred to as the "nail matrix"?

1. Cuticle

2. Tip of the nail

3. Tissue underneath the base of the nail

4. Nail bed

The correct answer is: Tissue underneath the base of the nail

The nail matrix is the area responsible for the growth of the nail, located underneath the base of the nail, right beneath the cuticle. It contains specialized cells that produce the keratin that forms the hard structure of the nail. This area is crucial for the development and overall health of the nail. The other options do not accurately describe the nail matrix. The cuticle, which is the thin layer of skin at the base of the nail, helps protect the nail matrix from damage and infection, but it is not the same as the matrix itself. The tip of the nail is the distal end and does not play a role in nail growth. The nail bed, which is the underlying skin to which the nail is attached, provides support but is distinct from the matrix, where the nail actually starts to grow. Hence, identifying the tissue underneath the base of the nail as the nail matrix is correct as it is the origin point of nail formation.