The lunula (pl.: lunulae; from Latin 'little moon') is the crescent-shaped whitish area of the bed of a fingernail or toenail. In humans, it appears by week 14 [1] of gestation, and has a primary structural role in defining the free edge of the distal nail …

Aug 24, 2018 · What are Fingernail Lunulae? The lunula means “little moon” in Latin. It is the crescent-shaped whitish area of the bed of a fingernail or toenail. The matrix of the fingernail (or toenail) is where each nail starts to grow. This is where new cells are made up, which ultimately make up the new nail. The lunula is also apart of this matrix.

Feb 15, 2023 · Lunulae cover the bottom of your nail, just above your cuticle. Lunulae are part of your nail matrix. The matrix refers to the tissue just beneath your nail. It contains nerves,...

Where is my nail matrix located? Your nail’s germinal matrix is under the base of your nail, and the sterile matrix lies underneath your nail. You can’t see most of your nail matrix. The lunula (white crescent shape at the base of your nail) is the only visible part of your nail matrix.

Feb 1, 2018 · Pyramidal lunula occurs when the moons of your fingernail form in a triangle shape. Most often, this is caused by an improper manicure or another kind of trauma to the fingernail.

Apr 26, 2019 · Learn about the brief characteristics of healthy lunulae vs. unhealthy lunulae, what does absence of lunulae indicate, what does a large or a small lunula indicate, what does the shape and color of the lunula indicate and meaning of lunulae on different fingernails.

May 26, 2022 · A lunula is small if you can’t see it at all, or it barely extends beyond the surface of the cuticle. This could indicate low blood pressure or circulatory problems , as well as a weak immune system, slow metabolism, and an iron or vitamin B12 deficiency.

Jan 27, 2025 · Healthy lunulae are usually a whitish color and take up a small portion of the bottom of your nail. They’re usually most visible on your thumb. You may notice that they appear smaller on your pointer finger, gradually shrinking in size until you reach your pinkie where they may be barely visible.

The lunula is actual the visible portion of the nail matrix. It most often appears white because the skin underneath the nail plate is thicker that the other parts of the nail bed. It can be seen both on the fingernail and the toenail. The lunula can be more or less visible in different people.

From a physiological perspective, the lunula represents the visible part of the matrix beneath the nail plate. The matrix is where new nail cells are produced. As these cells grow and multiply, they push older cells forward, forming what we recognize as our nails. Why Is the Lunula Important?