Respiratory Definitions
inspiratory capacity
equals the tidal volume plus the inspiratory reserve volume; amount of air a person can breathe in, beginning at the normal expiratory level and distending the lungs to the maximum amount
functional residual capacity
expiratory reserve volume plus the residual volume; amount of air that remains in the lungs at the end of normal expiration
vital capacity
inspiratory reserve volume plus the tidal volume plus the expiratory resreve volume; maximum amount of air a person can expel from the lungs after first filling the lungs to their maximum extent and then expiring to the maximum extent
expiratory reserve volume
maximum extra volume of air that can be expired by forceful expiration after the end of a normal tidal expiration
inspiratory reserve volume
maximum extra volume of air that can be inspired over and above the normal tidal volume when the person inspires with full force
total lung capacity
maximum volume to which the lungs can be expanded with the greatest possible effort; equal to the vital capacity and the residual volume
tidal volume
volume of air inspired or expired with each breath
residual volume
volume of air remaining in the lungs after the most forceful expiratinon