ENGLISH
REFERENCE

alveolar

adj. C / U
C2 Proficiency US //æɫˈviəɫɝ// UK //ˌælvɪˈəʊlɐ// alve·o·lar

adj. relating to the small air sacs in your lungs where oxygen enters your blood. It can also describe sounds made by touching the tongue to the roof of your mouth.

adj. relating to the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs. In phonetics, it describes sounds produced by the tongue touching the alveolar ridge.


SIMPLE

The doctor checked the patient's alveolar function.

CONTEXTUAL

During the physical exam, the physician listened for any signs of fluid in the alveolar sacs of the lungs.

COMPLEX

The patient's oxygen saturation levels dropped significantly, indicating that the alveolar membranes were not effectively transferring oxygen into the bloodstream despite the high concentration of inhaled air.

Synonyms
Origin

From alveolus + -ar.

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