# Fingernail question

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fingernail-question/108194>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 10, 2002, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fingernail-question/108194 "2002-05-10T00:32:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![insider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bbe5ce/32.png) [@insider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/insider)\
**Post date:** [May 10, 2002, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fingernail-question/108194/1 "2002-05-10T00:32:39Z")

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Is there a name and a purpose for the white half moon shaped areas at the base of the finger nails? Can changes in this area reveal illness or wellness?

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**Author:** ![Willow\_fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/45deac/32.png) [@Willow\_fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Willow_fire)\
**Post date:** [May 10, 2002, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fingernail-question/108194/2 "2002-05-10T01:14:42Z")

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its called the luna and not everyones shows (although most do somewhat) It is the base of the nail matrix (the area that makes the nail grow) and yes if the color should change it could be a sign of something going on.