Lunula function?

[Pink Pink Pink]

Hi, I'm currently doing my assignments for my new extension course (eek - excitement). One of the questions is about functions and I'm a bit stuck with the lunula.... I have "The lunula (half moon) is at the bottom of the nail. It links the nail plate and is the visible part of the matrix."

But what does it do??

Thanks for any help, Debs xx

 

[shellpink]

I dont think it particularly has a 'function', its light in colour due to the relative looseness of the nail plate at the base. the cells are only partially keratinised so the colour of the underlying blood vessels dont show through, sorry hun, cant think of a direct 'function'?

 

[Lana]

The Matrix bed is composed of matrix cells that produce the nail plate.It extends from under the proximal nail groove,where it can be seen as a whitish,moon-shaped area under the nail plate.This visible portion of the matrix bed is called lunula.