Free study questions · Cosmetology state board

Nail structure and disorders practice questions

4 free nail structure and disorders questions for the cosmetology written exam (NIC's national theory test). Tap an answer to check yourself: each one comes with a short explanation and the source it's based on.

1. Question 1

   The whitish half-moon visible at the base of a fingernail is the:

   ACuticleBNail bedCMatrixDLunula
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   Answer: D. Lunula

   The lunula is the whitish half-moon at the base of the nail plate. It is the visible front part of the matrix, the area that makes new nail cells.

   NIC Cosmetology outline I: nail structure and growth

2. Question 2

   The area beneath the base of the nail where new nail cells are produced, controlling nail growth, is the:

   ANail bedBFree edgeCHyponychiumDNail matrix
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   Answer: D. Nail matrix

   The matrix, beneath the skin at the base of the nail, produces the cells that harden into the nail plate. Damage to the matrix can permanently change how the nail grows.

   NIC Cosmetology outline I: nail structure and growth

3. Question 3

   The living skin at the base of a fingernail that covers the matrix area is the:

   AHyponychiumBNail cuticleCSidewallDEponychium
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   Answer: D. Eponychium

   The eponychium is living skin at the base of the nail plate that partly covers the matrix. The cuticle is the dead tissue it leaves on the plate; the living eponychium must never be cut.

   NIC Cosmetology outline I: nail structure and growth

4. Question 4

   The dead, colorless tissue attached to the plate, which can be gently pushed back and removed, is the:

   ANail bedBEponychiumCCuticleDFree edge
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   Answer: C. Cuticle

   The cuticle is dead, colorless tissue stuck to the nail plate. It can be gently loosened and removed, unlike the living eponychium behind it.

   NIC Cosmetology outline I: nail structure and growth

These are original practice questions written from public sources such as the CDC, OSHA, the FDA and NIC's published exam outlines, in the same multiple-choice format as the real exam. NIC doesn't publish its live exam questions.