eponychium

[ep-uh-nik-ee-uhm]

noun

plural

eponychia 

1. Embryology.,  the modified outer layer of the epidermis that partially covers the fetal fingernails and toenails and that persists after birth as the cuticle.

2. Anatomy.,  a thin, cuticular fold extending over the lunula of a nail.

Word History and Origins

Origin of eponychium¹

1880–85; < New Latin, equivalent to ep- ep- + onych- ( onyx ) + -ium -ium