Vital Capacity
Asked by Anushka G · 1 year ago
How is vital capacity different from total lung capacity?
1 Answer
Vital Capacity (VC) and Total Lung Capacity (TLC) are different measures of lung function:
Vital Capacity:
- The maximum amount of air that can be exhaled after a maximum inhalation.
- Typically about 4.5-5 liters in healthy adults.
- Calculated as: Inspiratory Reserve Volume + Tidal Volume + Expiratory Reserve Volume
Total Lung Capacity:
- The total volume of air in the lungs after maximum inhalation.
- Includes Vital Capacity plus Residual Volume (air remaining in lungs after maximum exhalation).
- Usually about 6 liters in healthy adults.
The main difference is that TLC includes the residual volume, which can't be measured by normal spirometry.
Vital Capacity:
- The maximum amount of air that can be exhaled after a maximum inhalation.
- Typically about 4.5-5 liters in healthy adults.
- Calculated as: Inspiratory Reserve Volume + Tidal Volume + Expiratory Reserve Volume
Total Lung Capacity:
- The total volume of air in the lungs after maximum inhalation.
- Includes Vital Capacity plus Residual Volume (air remaining in lungs after maximum exhalation).
- Usually about 6 liters in healthy adults.
The main difference is that TLC includes the residual volume, which can't be measured by normal spirometry.
NEET Faculty · 1 year ago
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