Vital capacity is the maximum amount of air a person can expel from the lungs after a maximum inhalation. It is equal to the inspiratory reserve volume plus the tidal volume plus the expiratory reserve volume.
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.
A normal adult has a vital capacity between 3 and 5 litres. A human's vital capacity can be dependent on age, sex, height, weight and ethnicity.
Lung volumes and lung capacities refer to the volume of air associated with different phases of the respiratory cycle. Lung volumes are directly measured. Lung capacities are inferred from lung volumes.
Read more about Vital Capacity: Estimated Vital Capacities
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