Spirometry

Question 1

What is tidal volume?

Answer 1

Volume of gas breathed with each normal breath (in liters or ml)

Question 2

What is total lung capacity (TLC)?

Answer 2

Volume of gas in the lungs at the end of maximal inspiration (in liters, L).

Question 3

What is vital capacity (VC)?

Answer 3

Volume of gas exhaled from maximal inspiration to maximal exhalation. This can either be forced or relaxed.

Question 4

What is residual volume (RV)?

Answer 4

Gas remaining in the lungs after a maximal expiration. This is in liters. This volume cannot be expelled regardless of the maneuver performed.

Question 5

What is functional residual capacity (FRC)?

Answer 5

The total volume of gas remaining in the lungs at the end of tidal exhalation equaling the sum of the RV and ERV.

Question 6

What is inspiratory reserve volume (IRV)?

Answer 6

The volume of gas that must be inhaled at the end of a tidal inspiration to reach total lung (in L).