lunula; nail moon
Anatomical term for the whitish, crescent-shaped area at the base of a fingernail or toenail. Used in medical and everyday contexts.
On healthy nails, a white lunula is visible at the base.
The size of the lunula varies from person to person.
Compound of 爪 (つめ, 'nail') and 半月 (はんげつ, 'half-moon'), describing the crescent-shaped area at the nail base.