Final answer:
The folds of normal skin that surround the nail plate are known as the eponychium, also called the cuticle. It is a fold of epithelium that protects the nail plate and helps prevent infections.
Step-by-step explanation:
The folds of normal skin that surround the nail plate are known as the nail fold and eponychium. The nail fold is a fold of epithelium that extends over the sides of the nail body, helping to hold it in place. The eponychium is also called the cuticle, a fold of epithelium that meets the proximal end of the nail body and overlaps the nail plate. This structure helps to seal the edges of the nail to prevent infection of the underlying tissues. Therefore, the correct answer to the question 'What are the folds of normal skin that surround the nail plate?' is option D) Eponychium.