The structure of the pulmonary alveolus is essential for the process of breathing and gas exchange. First, pulmonary alveoli are tiny air sacs located inside the lungs. In addition, they are found at the ends of the bronchioles, forming the final part of the respiratory pathways.
Each alveolus has extremely thin walls. Because of this characteristic, gases can pass through them easily. Moreover, alveoli are surrounded by a network of blood capillaries.
During inhalation, air rich in oxygen reaches the alveoli. Then, due to differences in gas concentration, oxygen passes through the alveolar wall.
Afterward, oxygen enters the capillaries surrounding the alveolus. There, it binds to hemoglobin inside red blood cells. As a result, the blood becomes oxygen-rich.
Meanwhile, carbon dioxide carried by the blood moves in the opposite direction. In other words, it passes from the capillaries into the pulmonary alveoli.
Later, this gas is expelled from the body during exhalation. Therefore, alveoli help maintain the balance of gases in the body.
Furthermore, the lungs contain millions of alveoli, which increase the surface area available for gas exchange. For this reason, breathing becomes an efficient process.
Likewise, the close contact between blood capillaries and alveoli allows gases to move quickly. In this way, the respiratory system can supply oxygen to all body cells.
In conclusion, the structure of the pulmonary alveolus is specially designed to facilitate gas exchange. Thanks to this structure, the body can obtain oxygen and eliminate carbon dioxide during breathing.