Respiratory Volumes and Capacities Quiz

Lung Volumes

• Inspiratory reserve volume: 3000 mL (amount of air that can be inspired forcefully after inspiration of the tidal volume)
• Expiratory reserve volume: 1100 mL (amount of air that can be forcefully expired after expiration of the tidal volume)
• Residual volume: 1200 mL (volume of air still remaining in respiratory passages and lungs after most forceful expiration)

Respiratory Capacities

• Inspiratory capacity: tidal volume + inspiratory reserve volume (amount of air a person can inspire maximally after normal expiration)
• Functional residual capacity: expiratory reserve volume + residual volume (amount of air remaining in the lungs at the end of normal expiration)
• Vital capacity: inspiratory reserve volume + tidal volume + expiratory reserve volume (maximum volume of air that can be expelled from the respiratory tract after maximum inspiration)
• Total lung capacity: inspiratory reserve volume + expiratory reserve volume + tidal volume + residual volume

Respiratory Rate and Ventilation

• Respiratory rate: number of breaths taken per minute
• Minute ventilation: total amount of air moved into and out of the respiratory system each minute (tidal volume x respiratory rate)

Anatomic Dead Space and Alveolar Ventilation

• Anatomic dead space: space formed by nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and terminal bronchioles
• Alveolar ventilation: volume of air available for gas exchange per minute

Forced Vital Capacity and Forced Expiratory Volume

• Forced vital capacity (FVC): maximal volume of air that can be forcefully expired as fast as possible after a deep breath in
• Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1 sec): volume of air expired in the first second of the test
• Forced expiratory volume 1% (FEV1%): FEV1sec expressed as a percentage of the FVC

Lung Function and Diseases

• Lung function tests can diagnose and monitor diseases of the lungs, e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases

Dynamic and Static Lung Volumes

• Dynamic lung volume: measured in relation to time, dependent on rate of flow of air, usually determined during repetitive breathing
• Static lung volume: independent of rate of air flow, usually determined during one maximal inspiration and/or expiration

Measurement of Lung Volumes and Capacities

• Measured using spirometer or vitalograph
• Comparing measurements to "normal ranges" can diagnose and track disease progress, e.g., asthma, COPD
• Influenced by gender, age, body size, and physical fitness

Test your knowledge on respiratory volumes like inspiratory reserve volume, expiratory reserve volume, residual volume, and respiratory capacities. Learn about the different amounts of air involved in breathing.