Which nail structure consists of many nerves and blood vessels that supply nourishment?

• A. Nail bed
• B. Matrix
• C. Lunula
• D. Cuticle

Answer: (A)

The nail bed is the living tissue directly beneath the nail plate, and it’s packed with nerves and blood vessels that supply nutrients and oxygen to the growing nail. That vascular bed gives the nail its healthy color and feeds it as it lengthens. The matrix at the base is where the nail actually grows, but the nourishment of the visible nail comes from the nail bed’s blood supply. The lunula is simply the visible part of the growth region, and the cuticle is protective skin at the base, not a nourishment source.