What Does The Half Moon at The Base of The Nails Mean

The lunula—derived from the Latin word for “little moon”—is the whitish half-moon shape found at the bottom of the nail, just above the cuticle. It’s not decorative; it’s the visible part of the nail matrix, which produces the keratin that makes up the nail plate. Its pale appearance occurs because this section lacks the rich network of blood vessels that color the rest of the nail bed pink.

For some people, the lunula is strikingly visible, especially on the thumbs, while for others, it appears faint or even absent. Age, skin tone, lighting conditions, and genetics all play a role in how noticeable it is. Children and older adults may see it fade naturally over time, and in many cases, that’s entirely normal.

So if your lunula looks small—or even invisible—there’s usually no need for alarm. What matters most is whether it changes in size, shape, or color over time.

When Lunula Changes Might Matter:

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