Fingernail Quiz: Keratin, Growth Rates and Little Moons

This fingernail quiz looks closely at the shields on our fingertips. Play 10 interactive questions on keratin, the nail matrix where growth begins, the pale half-moon called the lunula, growth of about 3 mm a month, slower toenails, faster growth on the dominant hand and in summer, how long nails take to regrow, the cuticle and lines that record past illness.

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🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 150 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 150s

Made
What are fingernails made of?
Matrix
Where does nail growth begin?
Moon
What is the pale half-moon at the base called?
Rate
About how fast do fingernails grow?
Toe
How do toenails compare?
Hand
Which hand's nails tend to grow faster?
Season
When do nails often grow faster?
Regrow
About how long does a fingernail take to fully regrow?
Cuticle
What does the cuticle do?
Lines
What can horizontal ridges called Beau's lines show?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: What are fingernails made of?
Answer: Keratin
Hair is also keratin.
Q2: Where does nail growth begin?
Answer: The nail matrix under the skin
New cells push forward.
Q3: What is the pale half-moon at the base called?
Answer: The lunula
It is part of the matrix.
Q4: About how fast do fingernails grow?
Answer: About 3 mm a month
Rates vary by person.
Q5: How do toenails compare?
Answer: They grow more slowly
They take much longer to regrow.
Q6: Which hand's nails tend to grow faster?
Answer: The dominant hand
Use may boost blood flow.
Q7: When do nails often grow faster?
Answer: In summer
Warmth may help.
Q8: About how long does a fingernail take to fully regrow?
Answer: About six months
Toenails take over a year.
Q9: What does the cuticle do?
Answer: Seals and protects the nail base
Cutting it can invite infection.
Q10: What can horizontal ridges called Beau's lines show?
Answer: A past illness or stress
Growth paused for a time.

Shields That Grow on Our Fingertips

Fingernails are made of keratin, the same tough protein in hair. Growth begins in the nail matrix, hidden under the skin at the base, where new cells push older ones forward. The pale half-moon at the base, called the lunula, is part of the matrix.

Fingernails grow about 3 mm a month, and a lost fingernail takes about six months to fully regrow. Toenails grow more slowly and can take over a year. Nails on the dominant hand tend to grow faster, and growth is often quicker in summer and in younger people.

The cuticle seals and protects the nail base, so cutting it can invite infection. Horizontal ridges called Beau's lines can show that growth paused during a past illness or stress, a record doctors can read like a diary.

What This Quiz Teaches

Body science fans will enjoy these questions.

What nails are made of
Where they grow from
How fast they grow
What affects growth
What nails can reveal

Did You Know?

Nails help us pick up small objects.
White spots are usually minor injuries.
Nail color can hint at health.
Primates have nails instead of claws.
Long nails records are set by a few people.