Volumes and Capacities (Sums of Volumes) Used in Pulmonary Function Tests

Question 1

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

Answer 1

tidal volume (TV)

Question 2

amount of air that remains in the lungs after maximum exhalation

Answer 2

residual volume (RV)

Question 3

amount of air that can be exhaled after a normal exhalation

Answer 3

expiratory reserve volume (ERV)

Question 4

amount of air that can be inhaled above a normal inspiration

Answer 4

inspiratory reserve volume (IRV)

Question 5

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

Answer 5

total lung capacity (TLC)

Question 6

amount of air that can be inhaled after normal exhalation

Answer 6

inspiratory capacity (IC)

Question 7

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

Answer 7

vital capacity (VC)

Question 8

amount of air remaining in the lungs after normal exhalation

Answer 8

functional residual capacity (FRC)

Question 9

volume of gas exhaled with maximum force within a given interval of time; the time
interval is shown as a subscript, such as FEV1
(one second) and FEV3
(three seconds)

Answer 9

forced expiratory volume (FEV)

Question 10

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

Answer 10

forced vital capacity (FVC)