Respiratory Volumes and Capacities

Tidal volume (TV) (500 mL)

Volume of air moved in or out of the lungs during a respiratory cycle

Inspiratory reserve volume (IRV) (3,000 mL)

Maximum volume of air the can be inhaled at the end of a resting inspiration

Expiratory reserve volume (ERV) (1,100 mL)

Maximum volume of air that can be exhaled at the end of a resting expiration

Residual volume (RV) (1,200 mL)

Volume of air that remains in the lungs even after a maximal expiratory effort

Vital capacity (VC) (4,600 mL)

Maximum volume of air that can be exhaled after taking the deepest breath possible: VC= TV+ IRV + ERV

Inspiratory capacity (IC) (3,500 mL)

Maximum volume of air that can be inhaled following exhalation of resting tidal volume: IC = TV + IRV

Functional residual capacity (FRC) (2,300 mL)

Volume of air that remains in the lungs following exhalation of resting tidal volume: FRC= ERV + RV

Total lung capacity (TLC) (5,800 mL)

Total volume of air that the lungs can hold : TLC= VC + RV