PULMONARY ALVEOLI Meaning and
Definition
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Pulmonary alveoli are small, thin-walled sacs located at the terminal ends of the lung's bronchioles. They are the primary functional units of the respiratory system, responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide during the process of respiration. The alveoli provide a large surface area for gas exchange due to their enormous quantity and intricate structure.
Each lung contains millions of pulmonary alveoli, resembling clusters of grapes attached to the bronchioles. The walls of these sacs consist of a single layer of squamous epithelial cells known as alveolar epithelial cells. These cells, together with the surrounding capillaries, form a respiratory membrane which facilitates the diffusion of gases between the air within the alveoli and the bloodstream.
During inhalation, oxygen enters the alveoli through the bronchioles, diffusing across the respiratory membrane into the capillaries. Simultaneously, carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular respiration, travels from the bloodstream into the alveoli, where it is expelled during exhalation. This exchange of gases is made possible by the thinness of the alveolar walls as well as the high concentration of blood vessels surrounding them.
Any disruption to the structure or function of pulmonary alveoli can lead to respiratory disorders such as emphysema, pneumonia, or acute respiratory distress syndrome. Maintaining the health of these sacs is crucial for efficient gas exchange and overall respiratory well-being.
Common Misspellings for PULMONARY ALVEOLI
- oulmonary alveoli
- lulmonary alveoli
- -ulmonary alveoli
- 0ulmonary alveoli
- pylmonary alveoli
- phlmonary alveoli
- pjlmonary alveoli
- pilmonary alveoli
- p8lmonary alveoli
- p7lmonary alveoli
- pukmonary alveoli
- pupmonary alveoli
- puomonary alveoli
- pulnonary alveoli
- pulkonary alveoli
- puljonary alveoli
- pulminary alveoli
- pulmknary alveoli
- pulmlnary alveoli
- pulmpnary alveoli
Etymology of PULMONARY ALVEOLI
The word "pulmonary" derives from the Latin word "pulmonarius", which means "relating to the lungs". It is derived from the Latin word "pulmo", meaning "lung".
The word "alveoli" comes from the Latin word "alveolus", which means "little cavity" or "small hollow". It is the diminutive form of "alvus", which means "belly" or "cavity".
Therefore, "pulmonary alveoli" can be understood as small hollow cavities or sacs within the lungs.
