alveole

Alveole is an alternate spelling of alveolus, a term used in anatomy to denote a small cavity or socket within a tissue, often bounded by bone or epithelium. The word derives from Latin alveolus, meaning a little hollow or cavity.

In dentistry and maxillofacial anatomy, the dental alveolus refers to the socket in the jawbone that houses a tooth. Each tooth sits within an alveolus formed by the alveolar bone; the tooth root is held in place by the periodontal ligament, and the surrounding bone is collectively known as the alveolar process. Damage or loss of teeth can lead to changes in the alveolar bone, including resorption.

In the respiratory system, the pulmonary alveolus is one of many tiny air sacs at the end of the respiratory tree where gas exchange occurs. Alveoli are lined by a thin epithelium and enveloped by a dense capillary network; type I pneumocytes form the gas-exchange surface, while type II pneumocytes produce surfactant to reduce surface tension. The alveolar–capillary membrane allows oxygen to diffuse into the blood and carbon dioxide to diffuse out.

The term alveole is sometimes encountered in historical or regional usage and is generally superseded by alveolus in modern medical writing. Related terms include alveolar (adj) and alveolitis (inflammation of an alveolus, such as a dry socket after tooth extraction). The concept of an alveolus appears across multiple organ systems as a small, hollow cavity that participates in specialized functions.