Dictionary > Alveolar cell

Alveolar cell

Definition
noun, plural: alveolar cells
The cell lining the pulmonary alveolus; the cell of the air sac of the lung
Supplement
In humans, the pulmonary alveolus is the hollow structure in the lung parenchyma. It is one of the many terminal ends of the respiratory tree and serves as the site for gas exchange. There are two major cell types that make up the pulmonary alveoli: (1) the alveolar cells, i.e. type 1 alveolar cells and type 2 alveolar cells, and (2) alveolar macrophage. The alveolar macrophage is a phagocyte associated with phagocytosis, homeostasis, and tissue remodeling. The alveolar cells are cells that are lining the alveoli of the lungs.
There are two major alveolar cell types, i.e. the type 1 and the type 2. The type 1 alveolar cells, also referred to as squamous alveolar cells are those that form the structure of an alveolar wall. They cover a very huge percentage of the alveolar surface, about 90-95%. They are relatively thin to enable an easy gas exchange. The type 2 alveolar cells, also known as the great alveolar cells, are cells that secrete pulmonary surfactant. The surfactant is essential in decreasing the surface tension of water within the alveoli. It allows the membrane to separate, thus, improving gas exchange.
Synonym(s):

  • pneumocyte
  • pneumonocyte

See also:

  • pulmonary alveolus


  • You will also like...

    Birth of a Human Baby
    Birth of a Human Baby

    Following nine months inside the mother's womb is the birth of the baby. Know the different stages of the birthing proce..

    Geological Periods
    Geological Periods

    Geological periods is a study guide that cites the different geological periods on Earth's timeline. Each has a brief ov..

    Hormone Production
    Hormone Production

    Hormones are chemical messengers produced by specialized glands and they were produced by switching on the genes designe..

    Human Nervous System
    The Human Nervous System

    The nervous system is essentially a biological information highway. This tutorial gives an overview of the nervous syste..

    complete-dominance
    Dominance

    This tutorial presents Gregor Mendel's law of dominance. Learn more about this form of inheritance and how it can be pre..

    Sugar Homeostasis
    Sugar Homeostasis

    The blood sugar level is regulated by two hormones. The mechanism behind this type of negative feedback control is descr..

    Related Articles...

    No related articles found

    See all Related Topics