( Lab. no.

11 )

Estimation of vital capacity

dlerqader74@yahoo.com
 Vital capacity (V.C):
Is the maximal volume of air which can
be expelled from the lungs by forceful
effort following maximal inspiration.

Components of vital Capacity:

 Tidal volume.
 Expiratory reserve volume.
 Inspiratory reserve volume.

dlerqader74@yahoo.com
dlerqader74@yahoo.com
 Tidal volume (VT):
The volume of air moved in or out of the
lungs with each breath during normal
comfortable respiration (=500ml).

Inspiratory reserve volume (IRV):

The maximal volume of air which can be
inspired after completing a normal tidal
inspiration (2000–3100 ml).

dlerqader74@yahoo.com
 Expiratory reserve volume (ERV):
The maximal volume of air which can be
expired after a normal tidal expiration (750 –
1200ml).

Residual volume (RV):

The volume of air which remains in the lungs
after a maximal expiration (1200ml).

dlerqader74@yahoo.com
Vital Capacity = VT + IRV + ERV
=500 + 3100 + 1200
= 4800 ml
= 4.8 Liter.
-Normal value:
Males = 4.8 L.
Females = 3.2 L.

dlerqader74@yahoo.com
-V.C is related to the size and
development of the subject.
-It is increased in athletes (runners,
swimmers, divers….etc).
-It is decreased in older people and in
diseases of the respiratory system.

dlerqader74@yahoo.com
 Volume (L)

5-
4- FEV1= about 80% of FVC
3-
2-
1-
1 2 3 4 T (sec)

- A normal spirometric trace of forced vital capacity

(FVC), showing forced expiratory volume in the
1st sec.(FEV1) which is equal to 80% of (FVC).

dlerqader74@yahoo.com
-Spirometric traces of FVC for two
patients one with an obstructive defect
and one with a restrictive defect.
dlerqader74@yahoo.com
-In obstructive lung disease VC
is normal, while FEV1 is reduced
(30–40 % of FVC).
-In restrictive lung disease VC is
reduced, while FEV1 does not
change as the FVC is already
low.

dlerqader74@yahoo.com
dlerqader74@yahoo.com