Vital capacity

Vital capacity

Vital capacity is the maximum volume of air that a person can exhale after maximum inhalation.It can also be the maximum volume of air that a person can inhale after maximum exhalation.

A person's vital capacity can be measured by a spirometer which can be a wet or regular spirometer. In combination with other physiological measurements, the vital capacity can help make a diagnosis of underlying lung disease.

Vital capacity 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 (about 4600 milliliters). It equals the inspiratory reserve volume plus the tidal volume plus the expiratory reserve volume.

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  • Vital capacity — Vital Vi tal, a. [F., fr. L. vitalis, fr. vita life; akin to vivere to live. See {Vivid}.] 1. Belonging or relating to life, either animal or vegetable; as, vital energies; vital functions; vital actions. [1913 Webster] 2. Contributing to life;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • vital capacity — n the breathing capacity of the lungs expressed as the number of cubic inches or cubic centimeters of air that can be forcibly exhaled after a full inspiration * * * the maximum volume of air that a person can exhale afer maximum inhalation. It… …   Medical dictionary

  • vital capacity — n. the volume of air that can be forcibly expelled from the lungs after the maximum amount has been breathed in …   English World dictionary

  • vital capacity — gyvybingumas statusas T sritis ekologija ir aplinkotyra apibrėžtis Organizmo gebėjimas išsaugoti, pratęsti savo ir savo rūšies egzistavimą. atitikmenys: angl. vigour; vital capacity; vitaly vok. Lebensfähigkeit, f; Lebenskraft, f rus.… …   Ekologijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

  • vital capacity — noun Date: 1852 the breathing capacity of the lungs expressed as the number of cubic inches or cubic centimeters of air that can be forcibly exhaled after a full inspiration …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • vital capacity — noun the maximum amount of air that can be exhaled after a maximum inhalation (usually tested with a spirometer); used to determine the condition of lung tissue • Hypernyms: ↑capacity, ↑content, ↑diagnostic test, ↑diagnostic assay …   Useful english dictionary

  • vital capacity — Physiol. the greatest amount of air that can be forced from the lungs after maximum inhalation. [1850 55] * * * …   Universalium

  • vital capacity — noun the greatest volume of air that can be expelled from the lungs after taking the deepest possible breath …   English new terms dictionary

  • vital capacity — the maximum volume of air that a person can exhale after maximum inhalation. It is usually measured on an instrument called a spirometer …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • vital capacity — vi′tal capac′ity n. phl the greatest amount of air that can be forced from the lungs after maximum inhalation • Etymology: 1850–55 …   From formal English to slang

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