<P> The lunula, or lunulae (pl .) (little moon in Latin), is the crescent - shaped whitish area of the bed of a fingernail or toenail . The lunula is the visible part of the root of the nail . </P> <P> In humans, it appears by week 14 of gestation, and has a primary structural role in defining the free edge of the distal nail plate (the part of the nail that grows outward). </P> <P> It is located at the end of the nail (that is closest to the skin of the finger), but it still lies under the nail . It is not actually white but only appears so when it is seen through the nail . Outlining the nail matrix, the lunula is a very delicate part of the nail structure . If one damages the lunula, the nail will be permanently deformed . Even when the totality of the nail is removed, the lunula remains in place and is similar in appearance to another smaller fingernail embedded in the nail bed . </P> <P> In most cases, it is half - moon - shaped and has unique histologic features . Examinations concluded that the lunula was an area of loose dermis with lesser developed collagen bundles . It appears whitish because a thickened underlying stratum basale obscures the underlying blood vessels . </P>

Where is a lunula located and why does it appear white
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