In a manner relating to or affecting the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in lungs where gas exchange occurs.
From alveolar (relating to alveoli) + -ly (adverbial suffix). Alveolar derives from Latin alveolus meaning 'small cavity' or 'hollow,' originally referring to beehive cells.
This word shows how medical language creates adverbs to describe processes happening at the cellular level—doctors use 'alveolarly' to pinpoint exactly where in the lung tissue a disease like pneumonia is attacking.
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