ALVEOLA Meaning and
Definition
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An alveola is a term primarily used in the medical field to describe a small, hollow cavity or sac-like structure within the body. These cavities can be found in various organs, but they are most notably associated with the respiratory system.
In the context of the respiratory system, alveoli are the tiny, thin-walled sacs located at the end of the bronchioles within the lungs. They are crucial for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide during the process of respiration. Alveoli are surrounded by a dense network of capillaries, enhancing the exchange of gases between the lungs and the bloodstream. This structural design helps in efficient gas exchange, allowing oxygen to be transferred from the alveoli into the bloodstream while carbon dioxide moves in the opposite direction to be expelled during exhalation.
The alveoli collectively form a larger structure known as the pulmonary alveolar apparatus. Although alveoli are naturally tiny, when all the alveoli in the lungs are combined, they result in a tremendous surface area, estimated to be around 70 square meters in humans. This expansive surface area maximizes the efficiency of gas exchange within the lungs.
Furthermore, alveola can also refer to similar structures that exist in other parts of the body, such as alveolar bone, which is the thickened ridge of bone within the jaw that support and anchor the roots of teeth. These alveolar structures play crucial roles in different physiological functions, showcasing the varying contexts in which the term alveola is applied.
Common Misspellings for ALVEOLA
- alveolae
- alveolar
- alveolus
- alveoli
- alveloa
- zlveola
- slveola
- wlveola
- qlveola
- akveola
- apveola
- aoveola
- albeola
- algeola
- alfeola
- alvwola
- alvsola
- alvdola
- alvrola
- alv4ola
Etymology of ALVEOLA
The word "alveola" comes from the Latin term "alveolus", which means "small cavity" or "little hollow". It is derived from the Latin word "alveus", meaning "a hollow vessel" or "trough". The Latin root "alvus" also gives rise to other related terms, such as "alveus dentis" or "alveus dentalis", which refers to the socket in which a tooth sits.
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