DISCUSSION

Spirometers can measure three of four lung volumes, inspiratory reserve volume, tidal volume,
expiratory reserve volume, but cannot measure residual volume. Four lung capacities are also
defined: inspiratory capacity, vital capacity, functional residual capacity, and the total lung
capacity. Pulmonary ventilation is the product of tidal volume and respiratory frequency. The
maximum voluntary ventilation is the maximum air that can be moved per minute. Spirometry
also provides a measure of airway resistance by use of the forced expiratory volume test. The
clinical spirogram presents the forced vital capacity differently. In laminar flow, pressure
necessary to drive flow increases linearly with the flow. In turbulent flow, pressure increases
with the square of the flow. The Reynolds number is used to estimate whether flow is laminar
or turbulent. Airway resistance also increases inversely with lung volume because stretch of
the lungs opens airways. Dynamic compression limits flow at high expiratory effort.

a. Tidal Volume (TV)

b. Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)
c. Vital capacity (VC)
d. Inspiratory Reserve Volume (ERV) and Inspiratory Capacity (IC)
e. Heymer Test of Respiratory Reserve