PRACTICAL PHYSIOLOGY

LECTURE 17

Lung Volumes and Capacities

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM CONSIST OF
 FUNCTION OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

 2 major function of the respiratory system:

A. to supply O2 to the body.
B. to remove Co2 from the body
 Other function include:
1. Acid-base balance.
2. Water balance.
3. Heat balance.
4. Filter blood
 Miscellaneous function:
A. Speech.
B. Endocrine and metabolic function.
 MECHANICS OF LUNG VENTILATION.

Air flow into and out of the lungs is driven by

pressure differences between the atmospheric air
and air in the lungs.
When atmospheric pressure exceeds
intrapulmonary pressure, air flows into the lungs,
and when intrapulmonary pressure exceeds
atmospheric pressure, air flows out of the lungs.
 Changes in intrapulmonary pressure are driven by
changing the volume of the lungs—per Boyle’s
Law
During tidal ventilation, air is inspired by
contracting certain muscles in the walls and floor of
the thoracic cavity.
 As the diaphragm contracts, it pulls downward
and forward, where as when the external intercostal
contract, they lift the ribs upward and laterally.
The net result is an increase in the volume of the
thoracic cavity. Since the lungs are adhered to the
inner walls of the thoracic cavity,
the lungs also expand. This decreases
intrapulmonary pressure below atmospheric
pressure, and air flows into the lungs along the
pressure gradient.
DURING INSPIRATION DURING
EXPIRATION
 LUNG VOLUMES AND CAPACITIES

The total volume of air in the lungs at full

(maximal) inspiration is conventionally divided
into four volumes:
Tidal volume (TV).The tidal volume is the amount
of air inspired or expired, during one normal
breathing cycle.(is approximately 500 ml).
Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV). Is the volume
of air that can be forcibly inspired beyond a tidal
inspiration. Average IRV are approximately 3000
ml
Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV).Is the
maximum volume of air that can forcibly expired
beyond a normal tidal expiration. Average ERV at
rest is approximately 1200 ml.
Residual Volume (RV). is the amount of air that
remains in the lungs following a maximal
expiration. The RV for men is approximately1200
ml
 Respiratory physiology is quantitative in nature, in
clinical practice certain combinations of volumes
called "capacities" are more convenient to measure and
interpret. The ones most used are.
 Inspiratory capacity (IC = TV+IRV): The maximal
volume that can be inspired following a normal
expiration.
 Functional residual capacity (FRC=RV+ERV): The
volume of air remains in the lungs at the end of
normal expiration.
Vital capacity (VC=ERV+TV+IRV): The maximal
volume of air that can be expired following a
maximal inspiration (i. e. the largest possible
breath you can make). It is a useful single test of
the ability to inflate and deflate the lungs.
Total lung capacity (TLC=RV+ERV+TV+IRV =
FRC+IC): The volume in the lungs at the end of
maximal inspiration:
 INSTRUMENTS AND SUBJECTS:

 Spirometer (vicatest).
 A normal subject.
 PROCEDURE:

1. Fit the nose clip while the subject is in the

standing position.
2. Instruct the subject to inspire as deeply as
possible, then to expire as rapidly and forcefully
as possible into the spirometer through the
mouth piece until the end of expiration.