Lung Volume and Capacities

Lung volume

individual measurements of volume of air in the lungs

tidal volume

volume of air inspired or expired (quiet breathing)

inspiratory reserve volume

the extra air you can breathe after taking a normal breath in, maximum volume of air that can be inspired from the tidal end-inspiratory level

expiratory reserve volume

extra air you can push out after letting a normal breath out , maximum volume of air that can be expired from tidal end-expiratory level 

vital capacity

maximum volume of air that can be expired after a maximum inspiration, or inspired after a maximum expiration.

vital capacity equation

tidal volume + inspiratory reserve volume + expiratory reserve volume

Inspiratory capacity

the biggest breath in you can take, starting after a normal, relaxed breath out. Maximum volume of air that can be inspired from the resting end-expiratory level

Inspiratory reserve volume equation 

inspiratory reserve + tidal volume 

Functional residual capacity

the volume of air remaining in the lungs after expiration of a normal breath. amount of air in pulmonary apparatus at the resting tidal end-expiratory level

functional residual capacity equation

residual volume + expiratory reserve volume

Total lung capacity

volume of air in the lungs after a maximum inspiration

total lung capacity equation

tidal volume + inspiratory reserve volume + expiratory reserve volume + residual volume