Illinois Nail Technician Practice Exam

Which nail disorder is characterized by the absence of a nail plate?

1. Agnail

2. Anonychia

3. Onycholysis

4. Hangnail

The correct answer is: Anonychia

Anonychia is characterized by the complete absence of a nail plate on one or more fingers or toes. This condition can be congenital, meaning a person may be born without nails, or it may develop as a result of certain medical conditions. Understanding the nature of anonychia is important because it highlights the significance of nails in overall health and well-being. In contrast, agnail refers to a condition where there is a small piece of skin that splits or tears near the base of the nail, which does not affect the nail plate itself. Onycholysis involves the separation of the nail plate from the nail bed, resulting in an abnormal appearance but not the total absence of the nail. Hangnail, similarly, describes a minor skin condition where a small piece of the cuticle or skin tears, but again, does not result in the absence of the nail plate. Thus, anonychia is distinctly significant due to the total absence of the nail plate, which differentiates it from the other conditions.