Leuconychia refers to which nail phenomenon?

• A. White spots caused by injury
• B. Yellowing of nails
• C. Nail splitting
• D. Ridges along nail plate

Answer: (A)

Leuconychia shows up as white spots on the nail. This happens when the nail matrix experiences minor trauma as the nail is forming, creating tiny air spaces inside the hard keratin. Those air pockets reflect light differently, producing the white patches. The spots typically grow out with the nail over time. It’s distinct from yellow nails (which point to yellowing from fungal issues or other causes), nail splitting (onychoschisis), or ridges along the nail plate (onychorrhexis).