The white semicircle at the base of the fingernail is called the lunula
The white, half-moon-shaped structure visible at the base of the human fingernail is anatomically identified as the lunula.
The claim is a straightforward anatomical fact directly supported by multiple dermatology and anatomy references, which consistently describe the lunula as the white, half-moon-shaped area at the base of the nail plate.
David de Berker. Nail anatomy.. 2013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clindermatol.2013.06.006
States that the distal part of the matrix, known as the lunula, is characterized by its half-moon shape and white appearance.
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P R Cohen. The lunula.. 1996. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0190-9622(96)90269-8
Describes the lunula as the white, half-moon-shaped visible portion of the distal nail matrix extending beyond the proximal nailfold.
Christopher G Karim, Robert A Schwartz. Red Lunula: A Reflection of Systemic Disease.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjms.2026.07.008
Confirms that the lunula is the half-moon-shaped visible portion of the distal matrix and is typically white in appearance.
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