Kathy Mannlein, age 11, of Peoria, I11., for her question:

WHAT ARE FINGER AND TOE NAILS MADE OF?

Finger and toe nails are made of special growths of the outer skin or epidermis of the body. The growths are actually made up of hardened skin cells..

Made of the same material you find in human nails are the hoofs, talons, claws and horns of birds and animals.

Skin below the area where the nail starts is called the matrix. Near the root of the nail, cells are smaller and carry less blood. The white, crescent shaped spot indicating these cells is the lunula. If a nail is ripped off, it will grow again if the matrix is not badly injured.

White spots seen on the nail are due to bruises or other injuries. They grow out as the nail grows. General illness can. also affect the nails' growth.