Respiratory Volums And Capacities

Question 1

Tidal Volume (TV)

Answer 1

Volume of air inspired or expired during normal respiration. Approx. 500 mL. A healthy man can inspire or expire 6000–8000 mL of air per minute.

Question 2

Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)

Answer 2

Additional volume of air inspired by forcible inspiration. Averages 2500–3000 mL.

Question 3

Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)

Answer 3

Additional volume of air expired by forcible expiration. Averages 1000–1100 mL.

Question 4

Residual Volume (RV)

Answer 4

Volume of air remaining in the lungs after forcible expiration. Averages 1100–1200 mL.

Question 5

Inspiratory Capacity (IC)

Answer 5

Total volume of air a person can inspire after a normal expiration. Includes TV + IRV.

Question 6

Expiratory Capacity (EC)

Answer 6

Total volume of air a person can expire after a normal inspiration. Includes TV + ERV.

Question 7

Functional Residual Capacity (FRC)

Answer 7

Volume of air remaining in the lungs after a normal expiration. Includes ERV + RV.

Question 8

Vital Capacity (VC)

Answer 8

Maximum volume of air a person can breathe in after a forced expiration. Includes ERV + TV + IRV. Alternatively, maximum volume of air a person can breathe out after a forced inspiration.

Question 9

Total Lung Capacity (TLC)

Answer 9

Total volume of air accommodated in the lungs at the end of a forced inspiration. Includes RV + ERV + TV + IRV. Alternatively, VC + RV.