Which term is defined as the total amount of air the lungs can hold after a very deep breath?

Which term is defined as the total amount of air the lungs can hold after a very deep breath?

• A. Vital capacity
• B. Residual volume
• C. Total lung capacity
• D. Tidal volume

Answer: (C)

Total lung capacity is the total amount of air the lungs can hold after a maximal, deep breath. It includes all the air in the lungs: the normal breath you take (tidal volume), the extra you can inhale beyond that (inspiratory reserve), the extra you can exhale beyond a normal exhale (expiratory reserve), plus the air that remains in the lungs after you fully exhale (residual volume). So TLC represents the maximum air the lungs can contain, even after you’ve tried to inhale as much as possible. In relation to other terms, the residual volume remains in the lungs after exhalation and cannot be measured by simple spirometry, the vital capacity is how much air you can exhale after a maximal inhale (not including the residual air), and the tidal volume is the amount moved with a normal breath.

Total lung capacity is the total amount of air the lungs can hold after a maximal, deep breath. It includes all the air in the lungs: the normal breath you take (tidal volume), the extra you can inhale beyond that (inspiratory reserve), the extra you can exhale beyond a normal exhale (expiratory reserve), plus the air that remains in the lungs after you fully exhale (residual volume). So TLC represents the maximum air the lungs can contain, even after you’ve tried to inhale as much as possible. In relation to other terms, the residual volume remains in the lungs after exhalation and cannot be measured by simple spirometry, the vital capacity is how much air you can exhale after a maximal inhale (not including the residual air), and the tidal volume is the amount moved with a normal breath.