What it means
The lungs hold millions of alveoli, each wrapped in a net of capillaryKAP-ih-lair-eeOne of the tiniest blood vessels, joining the smallest arteries to the smallest veins.Full entry . Here oxygen passes from the air into the blood and carbon dioxide passes out of the blood to be breathed out. A substance called surfactant keeps the sacs from collapsing. When alveoli fill with fluid or pus, as in pulmonary edemaPUL-muh-nair-ee ih-DEE-muhA buildup of fluid in the air sacs and tissues of the lungs.pulmon/o lung-ary having to do withedema swelling with fluidFull entry or pneumonianoo-MOHN-yuhAn infection of one or both lungs in which the air sacs fill with fluid or pus.pneum/o lung, air-ia conditionFull entry , or are destroyed, as in emphysemaem-fuh-SEE-muhA long-term lung disease in which the walls of the tiny air sacs are damaged and lose their stretch.Full entry , less oxygen gets into the blood.
At a glance
| Spanish | alvéolo |
|---|---|
| Also written | alveoli, alveolar |
Related terms
pulmonary edema
A buildup of fluid in the air sacs and tissues of the lungs.
capillary
One of the tiniest blood vessels, joining the smallest arteries to the smallest veins.
pneumonia
An infection of one or both lungs in which the air sacs fill with fluid or pus.
emphysema
A long-term lung disease in which the walls of the tiny air sacs are damaged and lose their stretch.
trachea
The windpipe: the tube that carries air from the throat to the lungs.