MICROANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -The lunula is the white crescent-shaped area at the base of a nail. In humans, it appears by week 14 of gestation, and has a primary structural role in defining the free edge of the distal nail plate (the part of the nail that grows outward).

Detailed explanation-2: -The lunula is the distal edge of the nail matrix and is the half-moon shape by or under the proximal nail edge, occasionally, visible through the nail plate. Most prominent on the thumbs, this is an area vulnerable to damage as it is full of slightly soft nail cells which are not fully keratinised.

Detailed explanation-3: -The lunula is the distalmost part of the matrix that can be seen. The matrix appears white due to the thickened epidermis in this region and the light-scattering effect of nucleated cells.

Detailed explanation-4: -The lunula is the visible portion of the distal nail matrix that extends beyond the proximal nailfold. It is white, half-moon-shaped, appears by week 14 of gestation, has unique histologic features. The lunula has a primary structural role in defining the free edge of the distal nail plate.

Detailed explanation-5: -The white crescent at the proximal end is called the lunula. It is white because the underlying epithelium is thicker here, and the colour of the dermis does not show through from underneath.