Lungs

lung The respiratory organ of air-breathing vertebrates. A pair of lungs is situated in the thorax, within the ribcage. Each consists essentially of a thin moist membrane that is folded to increase its surface area. Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place between blood capillaries on one side of the membrane and air on the other. The lung is supplied with air through a bronchus. The lungs are covered by a thin tissue layer called the pleura. The same kind of thin tissue lines the inside of the chest cavity -- also called pleura. A thin layer of fluid acts as a lubricant allowing the lungs to slip smoothly as they expand and contract with each breath.

Alveolar abscess

An alveolar abscess is an abscess located in the alveolar process of the jaw. An abscess is a well-defined collection of pus-filled liquid that has escaped from blood vessels and has been deposited on tissues or in tissue surfaces. The alveolar process is the thickened ridge of bone that contains the tooth socket on bones that bears teeth. An alveolar abscess is usually caused by an infection extending from a dead tooth located next to it. Symptoms of an alveolar abscess include deep throbbing pain over the area, bad breath, abnormal appearance of the tongue, headache, thirst, and hot skin. If the amount of pus that is formed or released is significant, fever and shaking can result. A common sign of an alveolar abscess is swelling over the area.