Lung volumes & capacities

Lung volumes and capacities

These can be divided into 2 groups: A. Static lung volumes and capacities(not involving time, expressed in ml or L) B. Dynamic lung volumes and capacities (time dependant, expressed in ml/min or L/min)

Lung volumes

Defined as volume of gas in the lungs at different

levels of respiratory act.

LUNG/ PULMONARY VOLUMES

1.Tidal volume (TV)

2.Inspiratory Reserve volume (IRV) 3.Expiratory Reserve volume (ERV) 4.Residual volume ( RV )

1. Tidal volume(TV) : the volume of air inspired or expired with each normal breath; 500 ml.
Decreases in: respiratory muscle weakness, depression of respiratory centre
-Increases in: muscular exercise

If Im breathing normally, then Im breathing at. . .

Tidal volume ~ 500 mL
Which one is it?
Tidal volume

2. Inspiratory reserve volume(IRV):

The extra volume of air that can be inspired

over and above the

normal tidal volume

when the person inspires with full force;

2000-3200 mL.

ADDITIONAL volume inspired above tidal volume Which one is it?

IRV

3. Expiratory reserve volume(ERV):

The maximum extra volume of air that can be

expired by forceful expiration after the end of a normal tidal expiration;

750-1100 milliliters.

Which one is Expiratory Reserve Volume?

ADDITIONAL

volume of air expired BELOW tidal volume

ERV

4. Residual volume(RV) :
It is the volume of air remaining in the lungs

after the most forceful expiration;

1100-1200 milliliters.

Residual Volume
How much air is

left in the lungs after the subject has forcefully and maximally expired CANNOT BE MEASURED BY SPIROMETRY RV

Lung capacities
Sum of two or more volumes = Capacities
1.Inspiratory capacity(TV + IRV ) 2.Vital capacity (TV+IRV+ERV) 3.Functional residual capacity(RV+ERV)

4.Total lung capacity

(TV+IRV+ERV+RV )

1. Inspiratory capacity(IC) :
The maximum volume of air a person can

breathe in, after the end of

normal tidal

expiration and distending the lungs to the

maximum amount.
2500-3700 milliliters

IC = TV + IRV

2. Expiratory capacity(EC) :
The maximal volume of air which can be expired

after completing tidal inspiration.

1250-1600 milliliters

EC = TV + ERV

3. The vital capacity :

This is the 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.
Normal : males 4800 ml

females 3200 ml

VC = TV + IRV + ERV

Significance of vital capacity It provides useful information about strength of respiratory muscles & patency of airways. Factors affecting vital capacity:
A . Physiological

Physical dimension(size and development) More in males because of large chest size and more muscle power Age: decreases in old age due to loss of elasticity of lung

 Strength of respiratory muscles

VC increases in swimmers and divers

Posture

VC is more in standing posture( diaphragm descends down thus increasing respiration)

Pregnancy

VC decreases (diaphragm is pushed up)

B. Pathological
Diseases of respiratory system

poliomyelitis, pulmonary fibrosis, obstruction, emphysema, pneumothorax, etc.

Ascites (accumulation of fluid in abdominal

cavity)

4.Functional residual capacity (FRC):

The amount of air that remains in the lungs at

the end of normal expiration (about 2300-2400 milliliters)

FRC = RV + ERV

Significance of FRC
1.

Continuous

gas

exchange

possible

concentration of O2 & CO2 in blood maintained constant.

2.

It prevents collapse of the lungs.

3.
4.

Breath holding is made possible due to the FRC

Dilution of toxic inhaled gases occurs due to the

reserve of 2400 ml of air in the lungs (FRC) most of

the times.
5.

Load

on

respiratory

mechanism

and

left

Factors affecting FRC

Increased in conditions of hyperinflation of

lungs, seen in Old age(loss of

elasticity)
Emphysema

Bronchial asthma
Atelectasis

Measurement of functional residual capacity

Except FRC and RV all volumes and capacities can be measured with the help of a spirometer.

These can be measured by:

Nitrogen washout method (open circuit) Helium dilution technique (closed circuit)

5. The total lung capacity :

The maximum volume to which the lungs can

be expanded with the greatest possible effort

(about 6000 milliliters)

TLC = VC + RV

Dynamic lung volumes and capacities

Forced/Timed Vital capacity(FVC)

Forced vital capacity(FVC): Maximum volume of air which can be breathed out as forcefully and rapidly as possible following a maximum inspiration.
This volume of air expired timed on

spirometer moving at a known speed

Components of FVC: FEV1 - forced expiratory volume in 1 sec. 80 % of FVC Most commonly used as screening test for airway diseases. FEV2 - forced expiratory volume in 2 sec. 95 % of FVC FEV3 - forced expiratory volume in 3 sec. 98-100 % of FVC

Peak Expiratory Flow rate

Expiratory flow rate during the peak of FVC. Normal: 400 450 L/min Wrights peak flow metre. Large airway patency

Forced Expiratory Flow during 25 75% of expiration (FEF 25 -75%)

Mean expiratory flow rate during middle 50% of

FVC.
Normal: 300 L/min

Sensitive indicator of small airway.