Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN) Practice Exam

Which area supports the growth of the nail plate?

1. Nail bed

2. Nail folds

3. Nail matrix

4. Lunula

The correct answer is: Nail matrix

The nail matrix is the area responsible for the growth of the nail plate. This specially formed tissue is located under the base of the nail, specifically under the cuticle. It contains cells that divide and produce keratin, a vital protein that makes up the bulk of the nail plate. As these cells multiply and mature, they push older cells forward, leading to the visible growth of the nail as it hardens and extends beyond the fingertip. In contrast, other areas like the nail bed serves as a supportive structure on which the nail plate rests, while the nail folds are the skin that surrounds the nail. The lunula, which is the visible part of the matrix, appears as a white crescent-shaped area at the base of the nail but does not itself support the nail's growth; rather, it is a part of the matrix that indicates where new nail growth occurs. Therefore, the nail matrix is crucial for the actual production of new nail material.