Alveolites

Alveolites is a term that can refer to several distinct biological and medical concepts. In the context of plant biology, it describes the small, often hollow, air-filled cavities found within plant tissues, particularly in spongy mesophyll cells of leaves. These intercellular spaces are crucial for gas exchange, facilitating the diffusion of carbon dioxide, oxygen, and water vapor between the atmosphere and the plant's internal cells during photosynthesis and respiration. The arrangement and size of alveoli can vary significantly between species and influence a plant's overall gas exchange efficiency.

In medicine, alveolitis refers to inflammation of the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place. This inflammation can be caused by a variety of factors, including infections, autoimmune diseases, inhaled irritants, or as a complication of certain medications. Symptoms of alveolitis can range from mild shortness of breath and a dry cough to severe respiratory distress, depending on the underlying cause and extent of the inflammation. A well-known specific form is hypersensitivity pneumonitis, sometimes referred to as extrinsic allergic alveolitis, which results from an immune reaction to inhaled organic dusts. Diagnosis typically involves imaging studies like chest X-rays or CT scans, pulmonary function tests, and sometimes lung biopsy. Treatment strategies are aimed at addressing the underlying cause and managing respiratory symptoms.