Caleb Foster
The half-moon shape at the base of your fingernail is known as a lunula. The lunula is part of the nail matrix, which is the tissue just beneath your nail that contains nerves, lymph, and blood vessels. Although everyone has a nail matrix, not everyone will have a lunula on each nail. The lunula can vary in appearance across each nail, and may be hard to see. In some cases, the absence of a lunula or a change in its appearance can be a sign of a vitamin deficiency, vitiligo, kidney failure, or another health condition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shape | Crescent-shaped |
| Colour | White |
| Location | Base of the nail, just above the cuticle |
| Other names | Half-moon, fingernail moon |
| Health implications | An absent lunula may be a sign of vitamin deficiency, vitiligo, kidney failure or another health condition |
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What You'll Learn
- The lunula is the half-moon shape at the base of your fingernail
- Not everyone has a visible lunula
- An absent lunula can be a sign of a vitamin deficiency, vitiligo, kidney failure, or another health condition
- Lunulae with a blueish tint could suggest Wilson's disease
- Red lunulae may indicate heart failure
The lunula is the half-moon shape at the base of your fingernail
Although everyone has a nail matrix, not everyone will have a visible lunula on each nail. The visibility of the lunula can depend on skin colour and other factors. Some people may only be able to see lunulae on their thumbs, or not at all. An absent lunula can occur with certain health conditions, such as vitamin deficiency, vitiligo, kidney failure, or Wilson's disease. However, not being able to see your fingernail moons doesn't always mean that something is wrong with your health.
The lunula is white and appears by week 14 of gestation. It has a primary structural role in defining the free edge of the distal nail plate.
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Not everyone has a visible lunula
The lunula is the half-moon shape at the base of the fingernail, just above the cuticle. The lunula is part of the nail matrix, which is the tissue just beneath the nail. The matrix contains nerves, lymph, and blood vessels, and produces the cells that become the hardened nail plate.
An absent or discoloured lunula can occur with certain health conditions, such as vitamin deficiency, vitiligo, kidney failure, or another health condition. However, an absent or discoloured lunula does not always mean that something is wrong with your health. For example, discoloured or missing lunulae usually aren't cause for concern. But if you notice changes in your nail appearance and are experiencing other unusual symptoms, make an appointment to see your doctor.
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An absent lunula can be a sign of a vitamin deficiency, vitiligo, kidney failure, or another health condition
The lunula is the crescent-shaped, whitish mark at the base of a fingernail, also known as a half-moon. Not being able to see a lunula may be a sign of a vitamin deficiency, vitiligo, kidney failure, or another health condition. However, sometimes the lunula is simply not visible. Skin colour and other factors may make the lunula more or less visible. Nails grow from a pocket under the skin called the matrix, which is where new cells are made. The lunula is the visible portion of the matrix, although it may be hard to see. Because the lunula comprises the newest portion of the nail, it can provide clues about a person's health.
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Lunulae with a blueish tint could suggest Wilson's disease
Lunulae are the small, white, half-moon shapes found at the base of your fingernails, just above the cuticle. They are the visible portion of the matrix, the pocket under the skin where nails grow. The lunula is the newest portion of the nail, so it can provide clues about a person's health.
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Red lunulae may indicate heart failure
The lunula is the visible portion of the matrix, where nails grow from a pocket under the skin. The lunula is the newest portion of the nail and can provide clues about a person's health. An absent lunula can be a sign of a vitamin deficiency, vitiligo, kidney failure or another health condition. However, sometimes the lunulae are simply not visible.
Red lunulae are associated with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, alopecia areata, cardiac failure, hepatic cirrhosis, lymphogranuloma venereum, psoriasis, carbon monoxide poisoning, twenty-nail dystrophy, and reticulosarcoma. Histopathologic examination of the red lunula suggests that red lunulae result from increased arteriolar blood flow, a vasodilatory capacitance phenomenon, or changes in the optical properties of the overlying nail so that normal blood vessels become more apparent.
The lunula is the whitish, crescent-shaped mark at the base of a fingernail, also known as a half-moon.
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Frequently asked questions
A lunula is the half-moon shape at the base of your fingernail. It is also known as a fingernail moon.
Not everyone has a visible lunula. Sometimes it is hidden under the skin, or it may be hard to see due to skin colour and other factors.
An absent lunula can be a sign of a vitamin deficiency, vitiligo, kidney failure, or another health condition. However, not being able to see your lunula doesn't always mean that something is wrong with your health.
A blue lunula could suggest Wilson's disease, a rare inherited genetic disorder in which copper accumulates in the liver, brain and other organs.
