What is the term for the cuticle that overlaps the lunula?

The term for the cuticle that overlaps the lunula is known as the eponychium. It refers to the skin that extends over the base of the nail and protects the area between the skin and the nail from infection. The eponychium is an important part of nail anatomy because it helps safeguard the delicate tissues that are involved in nail growth.

The lunula, which is the visible part of the nail matrix, is the white, crescent-shaped area at the base of the nail. The presence of the eponychium helps to maintain the structural integrity of the nail and supports its health by providing a protective barrier. This distinction is essential for understanding nail care and the anatomy involved in manicure and pedicure practices.

The other options relate to different parts of the nail anatomy; the hyponychium refers to the skin underneath the free edge of the nail, while the nail matrix is the tissue beneath the base of the nail responsible for nail growth. The nail plate is the hard part of the nail itself. Understanding these definitions clarifies why the eponychium is specifically noted as the cuticle that overlaps the lunula.