What is the lunula?

The lunula is accurately described as the half-moon-shaped area at the base of a nail. It is the visible part of the matrix, the area from which the nail grows. This semi-circular shape is usually best seen on the thumb and can vary in visibility on other fingers. The lunula often appears lighter than the rest of the nail plate due to the presence of the newly formed nail cells that are still somewhat translucent.

The other options refer to different aspects of the nail anatomy. The base of the cuticle is where the cuticle meets the nail but is not the lunula itself. The nail bed refers to the skin underneath the nail plate, and the tip of the nail is the free edge that extends beyond the fingertip. Each of these areas serves a different function, but the lunula is specifically recognized for its unique shape and position at the base of the nail.