American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Practice Exam

To what structure does the nail bed extend?

1. Edge of the eponychium

2. Edge of the lunula to the hyponychium

3. Base of the nail plate

4. Root of the nail

The correct answer is: Edge of the lunula to the hyponychium

The nail bed extends from the edge of the lunula to the hyponychium. This area serves as the underlying structure that supports the nail plate and is crucial for nail health and growth. The lunula, visible as the white crescent at the base of the nail, marks the proximal end of the nail bed, while the hyponychium is the area beneath the free edge of the nail where it meets the skin of the fingertip. This anatomical relationship highlights how the nail bed plays a fundamental role in anchoring the nail and facilitating its growth, connecting it to surrounding tissues. The other options do not accurately describe the complete range of the nail bed's extension; they refer instead to specific parts of the nail anatomy or its surrounding structures rather than the full span from the lunula to the hyponychium.