Volumes and Capacities Used in Pulmonary Function Tests

Vocabulary flashcards covering pulmonary volumes and capacities used in pulmonary function tests.

tidal volume (TV)

amount of air breathed into or out of the lungs in quiet, relaxed breathing

residual volume (RV)

amount of air that remains in the lungs after maximum exhalation

expiratory reserve volume (ERV)

amount of air that can be exhaled after a normal exhalation

inspiratory reserve volume (IRV)

amount of air that can be inhaled above a normal inspiration

total lung capacity (TLC)

total amount of air that can be contained in the lungs after maximum inhalation

inspiratory capacity (IC)

amount of air that can be inhaled after normal exhalation

vital capacity (VC)

amount of air that can be expelled from the lungs by maximum exhalation after maximum inhalation

functional residual capacity (FRC)

amount of air remaining in the lungs after normal exhalation

forced expiratory volume (FEV)

volume of gas exhaled with maximum force within a given interval of time; the time interval is shown as a subscript, such as $\text{FEV}_1$ ($1\,\text{second}$) and $\text{FEV}_3$ ($3\,\text{seconds}$)

forced vital capacity (FVC)

the volume of gas exhaled as rapidly and completely as possible after a complete inhalation