Pulmonary alveolus - Revision history

Prab at 00:59, 26 February 2025

2025-02-26T00:59:26Z

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	~~= Pulmonary Alveolus =~~

	[[File:Alveolus_diagram.svg\|thumb\|right\|Diagram of a pulmonary alveolus.]]		[[File:Alveolus_diagram.svg\|thumb\|right\|Diagram of a pulmonary alveolus.]]

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	* [[Gas exchange]]		* [[Gas exchange]]
	* [[Surfactant]]		* [[Surfactant]]
			{{Lung}}
			{{DEFAULTSORT:Pulmonary Alveolus}}
			[[Category:Anatomy]]
			[[Category:Lung anatomy]]
			[[Category:Respiratory system anatomy]]
	[[Category:Respiratory system]]		[[Category:Respiratory system]]
	~~[[Category:Anatomy]]~~

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2025-02-21T14:17:39Z

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	~~{{Short description\|A detailed overview of the pulmonary alveolus, its structure, function, and significance in the respiratory system.}}~~		= Pulmonary Alveolus =

	~~==Pulmonary Alveolus==~~		[[File:Alveolus_diagram.svg\|thumb\|right\|Diagram of a pulmonary alveolus.]]
	~~The '''pulmonary alveolus''' (plural: alveoli) is a tiny, balloon-shaped structure and is the basic unit of gas exchange in the~~ [[~~lungs]]~~. ~~Alveoli are located at the ends~~ of ~~the [[respiratory tree]] and are arranged in clusters throughout the lungs~~. ~~They are crucial for the process of [[respiration]], allowing for the exchange of [[oxygen]] and [[carbon dioxide]] between the air and the [[bloodstream~~]].

	[[~~File:Alveolus_diagram~~.~~png\|thumb\|right\|Diagram~~ of ~~a pulmonary alveolus showing~~ the ~~capillary network.~~]]		The '''pulmonary alveolus''' (plural: alveoli, from Latin alveolus, "little cavity") is a hollow cavity found in the [[lung]]s, and is the basic unit of [[respiration]]. The alveoli are the endpoint of the [[respiratory tree]], which includes the [[trachea]], [[bronchi]], and [[bronchioles]].

	==Structure==		== Structure ==
	Alveoli are microscopic in size, with an average diameter of about 200 to 300 micrometers. Each alveolus is surrounded by a network of [[capillaries]], which are the smallest blood vessels in the body. The walls of the alveoli are extremely thin, consisting of a single layer of [[epithelial cells]] known as type I and type II alveolar cells.

	~~===Type I Alveolar Cells===~~		[[File:Bronchial_anatomy_with_description.png\|thumb\|left\|Anatomy of the bronchial tree leading to the alveoli.]]
	~~Type I alveolar cells, also known as squamous alveolar cells, cover about 95%~~ of the ~~alveolar surface area. These cells are thin and flat, facilitating~~ the ~~rapid diffusion of gases~~.

	~~===Type II Alveolar Cells===~~		The alveoli are tiny, balloon-shaped structures and are the smallest passageway in the respiratory system. They are arranged in clusters throughout the lungs, with each cluster known as an [[alveolar sac]]. The walls of the alveoli are extremely thin, allowing for efficient [[gas exchange]] with the [[capillaries]] that surround them.
	~~Type II alveolar cells~~, ~~also~~ known as ~~great~~ alveolar ~~cells~~, ~~are cuboidal in shape and are responsible~~ for the ~~production of~~ [[~~surfactant~~]]~~, a substance~~ that ~~reduces surface tension within the alveoli and prevents their collapse during exhalation~~.

	==~~Function~~==		=== Alveolar Cells ===
	The primary function of the alveoli is to facilitate the exchange of gases. Oxygen from inhaled air diffuses through the walls of the alveoli and enters the blood in the surrounding capillaries. Simultaneously, carbon dioxide from the blood diffuses into the alveoli to be exhaled.

	~~[[File~~:~~Alveoli_gas_exchange.png\|thumb\|left\|Illustration of gas exchange in the alveoli.]]~~		The alveolar walls are composed of two types of cells:

	~~===Gas Exchange===~~		* '''Type I alveolar cells''': These are thin and flat cells that form the structure of the alveolar wall.
	~~Gas exchange in the alveoli occurs by~~ [[~~diffusion~~]], a ~~process driven by the concentration gradients of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The high~~ surface ~~area~~ and ~~thin walls of~~ the alveoli ~~optimize this process, allowing for efficient gas exchange~~.		* '''Type II alveolar cells''': These cells secrete [[surfactant]], a substance that reduces surface tension and prevents the alveoli from collapsing.

	===~~Role of Surfactant~~===		== Function ==
	Surfactant plays a critical role in maintaining alveolar stability. By reducing surface tension, surfactant prevents the alveoli from collapsing and ensures that they remain open and functional throughout the respiratory cycle.

	~~==Clinical Significance==~~		[[File:Cross_section_of_an_alveolus_and_capillaries_showing_diffusion_of_gases.svg\|thumb\|right\|Cross-section of an alveolus showing gas exchange.]]
	~~The health and function~~ of ~~the alveoli are vital for effective respiration~~. ~~Conditions such as [[pneumonia]], [[emphysema~~]]~~, and [[acute respiratory distress syndrome]] (ARDS) can impair alveolar function and lead to respiratory distress.~~

	~~===Pneumonia===~~		The primary function of the alveoli is to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide molecules to and from the bloodstream. This process is known as [[gas exchange]]. Oxygen from the inhaled air diffuses through the walls of the alveoli and into the blood in the capillaries, while carbon dioxide from the blood diffuses into the alveoli to be exhaled.
	~~Pneumonia~~ is ~~an infection that inflames~~ the air ~~sacs~~ in ~~one or both lungs~~, ~~which may fill with fluid or pus, leading~~ to ~~impaired gas exchange~~.

	===~~Emphysema~~===		== Gas Exchange Process ==
	~~Emphysema is a chronic condition characterized by the destruction of alveolar walls, resulting in reduced surface area for gas exchange and difficulty breathing.~~

	~~===Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome===~~		[[File:Gas_exchange_in_the_aveolus.svg\|thumb\|left\|Diagram showing gas exchange in the alveolus.]]
	~~ARDS is a severe condition characterized by widespread inflammation in the lungs, leading to fluid accumulation~~ in the ~~alveoli and impaired oxygenation~~.

	==Related Pages==		Gas exchange occurs by [[diffusion]], a process driven by the concentration gradients of the gases. Oxygen, which is more concentrated in the alveoli than in the blood, diffuses into the blood, while carbon dioxide, which is more concentrated in the blood, diffuses into the alveoli.

			== Clinical Significance ==

			[[File:Cryptococcosis_of_lung_in_patient_with_AIDS._Mucicarmine_stain_962_lores.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Cryptococcosis infection in the lung.]]

			Diseases affecting the alveoli can severely impact respiratory function. Conditions such as [[pneumonia]], [[emphysema]], and [[pulmonary fibrosis]] can damage the alveoli, leading to impaired gas exchange. Infections like [[cryptococcosis]] can also affect the alveoli, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.

			== Related Pages ==

			* [[Lung]]
	* [[Respiratory system]]		* [[Respiratory system]]
	* [[Lung]]
	* [[Gas exchange]]		* [[Gas exchange]]
	* [[Surfactant]]		* [[Surfactant]]
	* [[Capillary]]

	[[Category:Respiratory system]]		[[Category:Respiratory system]]
	[[Category:Anatomy]]		[[Category:Anatomy]]

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-'''Pulmonary alveolus''' is a tiny air sac found in the lung parenchyma where gas exchange occurs. Pulmonary alveoli are the terminal ends of the respiratory tree and are organized into lobules, each containing a respiratory bronchiole, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs, and alveoli.
+{{Short description|A detailed overview of the pulmonary alveolus, its structure, function, and significance in the respiratory system.}}
 ==Structure==
-Pulmonary alveoli are found in the [[acini]] at the beginning of the respiratory zone. They are located sparsely in the respiratory bronchioles, line the walls of the alveolar ducts, and are more numerous in the blind-ended alveolar sacs. The acini are the basic units of respiration, with gas exchange taking place in all the alveoli present.
+Alveoli are microscopic in size, with an average diameter of about 200 to 300 micrometers. Each alveolus is surrounded by a network of [[capillaries]], which are the smallest blood vessels in the body. The walls of the alveoli are extremely thin, consisting of a single layer of [[epithelial cells]] known as type I and type II alveolar cells.
 ==Function==
-The main function of the pulmonary alveoli is to permit the exchange of gases between the air in the lungs and the blood in the capillaries. This process occurs by [[diffusion]].
+The primary function of the alveoli is to facilitate the exchange of gases. Oxygen from inhaled air diffuses through the walls of the alveoli and enters the blood in the surrounding capillaries. Simultaneously, carbon dioxide from the blood diffuses into the alveoli to be exhaled.
-==Clinical significance==
+===Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome===
-Damage to the alveoli can result in a variety of lung diseases, including [[emphysema]], [[pneumonia]], and [[lung cancer]].
+ARDS is a severe condition characterized by widespread inflammation in the lungs, leading to fluid accumulation in the alveoli and impaired oxygenation.
-==See also==
+==Related Pages==
 * [[Respiratory system]]
 * [[Lung]]
-* [[Bronchiole]]
+* [[Gas exchange]]
-* [[Alveolar duct]]
+* [[Surfactant]]
-* [[Alveolar sac]]
+* [[Capillary]]
 [[Category:Anatomy]]

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← Older revision		Revision as of 12:19, 18 February 2025
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	{{stub}}		{{stub}}
			<gallery>
			File:Alveolus_diagram.svg\|Diagram of an alveolus
			File:Bronchial_anatomy_with_description.png\|Bronchial anatomy with description
			File:Alveolar_sac.JPG\|Alveolar sac
			File:An_annotated_diagram_of_an_alveolus.svg\|Annotated diagram of an alveolus
			File:Cross_section_of_an_alveolus_and_capillaries_showing_diffusion_of_gases.svg\|Cross section of an alveolus and capillaries showing diffusion of gases
			File:Gas_exchange_in_the_aveolus.svg\|Gas exchange in the alveolus
			File:Cryptococcosis_of_lung_in_patient_with_AIDS._Mucicarmine_stain_962_lores.jpg\|Cryptococcosis of lung in patient with AIDS
			File:Pulmonary_Blood_Circulation.png\|Pulmonary blood circulation
			File:Plain_home_talk_about_the_human_system-the_habits_of_men_and_women-the_cause_and_prevention_of_disease-our_sexual_relations_and_social_natures_(1896)_(14577681128).jpg\|Pulmonary alveolus
			</gallery>

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2024-02-25T15:21:34Z

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New page

'''Pulmonary alveolus''' is a tiny air sac found in the lung parenchyma where gas exchange occurs. Pulmonary alveoli are the terminal ends of the respiratory tree and are organized into lobules, each containing a respiratory bronchiole, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs, and alveoli.

==Structure==
Pulmonary alveoli are found in the [[acini]] at the beginning of the respiratory zone. They are located sparsely in the respiratory bronchioles, line the walls of the alveolar ducts, and are more numerous in the blind-ended alveolar sacs. The acini are the basic units of respiration, with gas exchange taking place in all the alveoli present.

==Function==
The main function of the pulmonary alveoli is to permit the exchange of gases between the air in the lungs and the blood in the capillaries. This process occurs by [[diffusion]].

==Clinical significance==
Damage to the alveoli can result in a variety of lung diseases, including [[emphysema]], [[pneumonia]], and [[lung cancer]].

==See also==
* [[Respiratory system]]
* [[Lung]]
* [[Bronchiole]]
* [[Alveolar duct]]
* [[Alveolar sac]]

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Anatomy]]
[[Category:Respiratory system]]
[[Category:Human cells]]

{{stub}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:19, 18 February 2025
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	{{stub}}		{{stub}}
			<gallery>
			File:Alveolus_diagram.svg\|Diagram of an alveolus
			File:Bronchial_anatomy_with_description.png\|Bronchial anatomy with description
			File:Alveolar_sac.JPG\|Alveolar sac
			File:An_annotated_diagram_of_an_alveolus.svg\|Annotated diagram of an alveolus
			File:Cross_section_of_an_alveolus_and_capillaries_showing_diffusion_of_gases.svg\|Cross section of an alveolus and capillaries showing diffusion of gases
			File:Gas_exchange_in_the_aveolus.svg\|Gas exchange in the alveolus
			File:Cryptococcosis_of_lung_in_patient_with_AIDS._Mucicarmine_stain_962_lores.jpg\|Cryptococcosis of lung in patient with AIDS
			File:Pulmonary_Blood_Circulation.png\|Pulmonary blood circulation
			File:Plain_home_talk_about_the_human_system-the_habits_of_men_and_women-the_cause_and_prevention_of_disease-our_sexual_relations_and_social_natures_(1896)_(14577681128).jpg\|Pulmonary alveolus
			</gallery>