koilonychia

[ koi-loh-nik-ee-uh ]

noun

, Medicine/Medical.

1. an abnormal condition in which the outer surfaces of the nails are concave; spoon nail.

Word History and Origins

Origin of koilonychia¹

1900–05; < Greek koîl ( os ) hollow + onych- (stem of ónyx nail; onyx ) + -ia

Example Sentences

A. You are describing what may be “koilonychia.”

From Seattle Times

And according the American Family Physician, iron-deficiency is associated with koilonychia—a nail disease characterized by spoon-shaped nails.

From Time