Lung volumes

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There are several different measures of lung volumes, some of which can be taken by Spirometry [1]. They are:

  1. Tidal Volume (TV)
    The volume of air inspired and expired over the course of a normal breath. This is around 500 ml
  2. Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)
    The volume of air that can be inspired over and above that of a normal (tidal volume) breath. This is around 3100 ml
  3. Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)
    The Volume of air that can be expired over and above that of a normal breath. This is around 1200 ml
  4. Residual Volume (RV)
    The volume of air that is left in the lungs after maximal expiration; that is after the expiratory reserve volume. It is around 1200 ml but cannot be measured by spirometry.
  5. Inspiratory Capasity (IC)
    The volume of maximal inspiration: IRV+TV
  6. Functional residual capasity (FRC)
    The volume of gas remaining in the lung after normal expiration: ERV+RV
  7. Vital capasity (VC)
    Volume of maximal inspiration and expiration: IRV+ERV+TV
  8. Total lung capasity (TLC)
    The volume of the lung after maximal inspiration sum of all four lung volumes, IC+FRC

References