Illinois Nail Technician Practice Exam

What connects the nail plate and the nail bed together?

1. Nail matrix

2. Bed epithelium

3. Cuticle

4. Free edge

The correct answer is: Bed epithelium

The bed epithelium is the connecting tissue that binds the nail plate to the nail bed. This specialized layer of skin is located beneath the nail plate and plays a crucial role in providing adhesion between the two structures. When a person’s nails grow, the nail plate originates from the nail matrix and advances over the nail bed. The bed epithelium helps facilitate this process by ensuring a smooth surface for the nail to glide over as it grows, while also contributing to the overall health and integrity of the nail unit. Other structures like the nail matrix are involved in producing the nail, the cuticle acts as a barrier to protect the area between the skin and the nail, and the free edge is simply the part of the nail that extends beyond the fingertip, not involved in connecting the two parts together. Thus, understanding the role of bed epithelium highlights its importance in nail health and growth.