3 Lung function

Changes in the compliance and resistance of the lungs can affect the capacity of the lungs to hold and exchange air. Lung capacity is calculated from the volume of air that is exchanged during normal and forceful breathing. The volumes that are used to calculate total lung capacity are described in Video 10.

Video 10 Calculating lung capacity.
Transcript (opens in new window)

Activity 6 Lung capacity

Allow about 10 minutes

Part 1

Match the volume with the corresponding definition:

expiratory reserve volume

extra volume breathed out during forceful exhalation

inspiratory reserve volume

extra volume breathed in during forceful inhalation

residual volume

amount of air left in the lungs in addition to the expiratory reserve volume

tidal volume

amount of air entering or leaving the lungs in a single resting breath

Using the following two lists, match each numbered item with the correct letter.

  1. expiratory reserve volume

  2. inspiratory reserve volume

  3. residual volume

  4. tidal volume

  1. extra volume breathed out during forceful exhalation

  2. extra volume breathed in during forceful inhalation

  3. amount of air left in the lungs in addition to the expiratory reserve volume

  4. amount of air entering or leaving the lungs in a single resting breath

The correct answers are:
  • 1 =
  • 2 =
  • 3 =
  • 4 =

Part 2

Which of the volumes are NOT used to calculate the vital capacity of the lungs? Select all that apply.

 

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