The lunula is the pale, half-moon shaped area at the base of the nail. It is the visible front edge of the nail matrix showing through the nail plate. It is usually most obvious on the thumb and may be hidden under the nail fold on other fingers.
| Location | At the proximal part of the nail plate, distal to the proximal nail fold, most visible on the thumb |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Dorsal branches of the proper palmar digital nerves (median and ulnar nerves) |
| Blood Supply | Dorsal branches of the proper palmar digital arteries; Proper palmar digital arteries |
| Venous drainage |
|
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Marks the visible end of the nail matrix, the region that produces the nail.
The lunula looks white because the matrix cells beneath are thicker and the nail there is less firmly attached, so blood vessels show through less. Its size varies normally and alone is not a reliable sign of disease. Unusual colour changes, such as red lunulae in some systemic diseases or blue lunulae with certain drugs, can occasionally offer clues.
Red, blue or other colour changes in the lunula linked to some medications, heart failure or connective tissue diseases.
Damage reaching the lunula involves the matrix and risks a permanently deformed nail.
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