Alveolar
Alveolar
Alveolar (/ælˈviːələr/; from Latin alveolus meaning "small cavity") is a term used in various fields of medicine, particularly in anatomy and dentistry. It refers to the small air sacs in the lungs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place, as well as the part of the jaw where the teeth are anchored.
Anatomy
In anatomy, the term alveolar refers to the tiny air sacs, or alveoli, located at the end of the bronchial tubes in the lungs. These sacs are responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the lungs and the bloodstream. The walls of the alveoli are extremely thin to allow for this gas exchange.
Dentistry
In dentistry, alveolar refers to the part of the jawbone that contains the tooth sockets. This is known as the alveolar process. There are two alveolar processes in the human mouth, one in the upper jaw (maxilla) and one in the lower jaw (mandible).
Related Terms
- Alveoli: The small air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.
- Alveolar process: The part of the jawbone that contains the tooth sockets.
- Alveolar consonant: A type of speech sound articulated with the tip of the tongue against the alveolar ridge, found in many languages including English.
- Alveolar ridge: A bony ridge located at the base of the upper teeth in humans and some other animals.
Etymology
The term alveolar comes from the Latin alveolus, which means "small cavity". This is a diminutive of alveus, meaning "hollow" or "cavity". The term was first used in English in the mid-19th century to describe the small air sacs in the lungs.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Alveolar
- Wikipedia's article - Alveolar
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