Final answer:
The cuticle that overlaps the lunula at the base of the nail is commonly known as the eponychium, not the mantle. This protective cuticle should not be cut during a manicure to prevent infection. Therefore, the correct option is 1.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cuticle that overlaps the lunula at the base of the nail is option 1) Mantle. This is a common mistake, as the correct term for the cuticle overlapping the lunula is actually the eponychium, which is also just known as the cuticle. The eponychium is a fold of epithelium at the proximal end of the nail that extends over the nail bed. It's important not to cut the eponychium during a manicure, because it forms a protective barrier that helps prevent infections.
The nail fold is a fold of skin around the sides of the nail plate that helps hold the nail in place. The nail itself, or the nail body, is the main keratinous plate, formed on the nail bed. The lunula is the visible part of the nail matrix and it appears as a whitish crescent at the base of the nail body. The nail plate looks pink because it lies over the nail bed, which is rich in blood vessels, except where the lunula is present.