ALVEOLAR AIR Meaning and
Definition
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Alveolar air refers to the air present in the alveoli, which are tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange takes place. It is the air that fills the alveoli during inhalation and is ultimately involved in oxygenation of the blood and removal of carbon dioxide.
During inhalation, fresh air enters the lungs through the trachea and bronchi, eventually reaching the alveoli. The alveoli are surrounded by an extensive network of tiny blood vessels called capillaries. This arrangement allows for direct exchange of gases between the alveoli and the bloodstream.
Alveolar air is specifically characterized by its composition. It contains a higher concentration of oxygen compared to exhaled air, as oxygen is absorbed into the bloodstream from the alveoli. On the other hand, alveolar air has a higher concentration of carbon dioxide compared to inhaled air, as this waste gas diffuses into the alveoli from the bloodstream to be eventually exhaled.
The exchange of gases in the alveoli is facilitated by the thin membrane of the alveolar wall. This membrane allows for efficient diffusion of gases between the alveolar air and the blood, ensuring the delivery of oxygen to the body's tissues and the removal of carbon dioxide, a byproduct of cellular respiration.
In summary, alveolar air is the air present in the alveoli that participates in the crucial process of gas exchange, supplying oxygen to the bloodstream and eliminating carbon dioxide.
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The residual air in the pulmonary vesicles; its composition is believed to be obtained approximately by breathing back and forth a number of times into a closed bag and then analyzing the air in the bag.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ALVEOLAR AIR
- zlveolar air
- slveolar air
- wlveolar air
- qlveolar air
- akveolar air
- apveolar air
- aoveolar air
- alceolar air
- albeolar air
- algeolar air
- alfeolar air
- alvwolar air
- alvsolar air
- alvdolar air
- alvrolar air
- alv4olar air
- alv3olar air
- alveilar air
- alveklar air
- alvellar air
Etymology of ALVEOLAR AIR
The word "alveolar" derives from the Latin word "alveolus", which means "small cavity" or "little hollow". This Latin term can also refer specifically to the sockets in the jawbone that hold the teeth. In the context of "alveolar air", it refers to the air that is contained within these small cavities or alveoli in the lungs.
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