[ELI5] What exactly is the lunula (white half moon on fingernail) and does the presence/ absence actually signify underlying disease?

Question

[ELI5] What exactly is the lunula (white half moon on fingernail) and does the presence/ absence actually signify underlying disease?

In: Biology

Answer 1

Lunala is one of the legendary pokemon from the Sun and Moon quadruplet of games. It’s a giant interdimensional laser-beam space bat.

The Lunula is essentially a cluster of cells forming the tip of the nail root. It grows new nail. The presence or absence of it in normal circumstances is not indicative of anything. Sometimes the skin covers it, sometimes it sticks out. It’s always there, though, whether you can see it or not, silently judging your choice of nail polish.