Question

What are the main components that predict lung volumes? Flow rates?

Answer 1

The main components that predict the lung volumes are Functional Residual Capacity.The amount of the air remained after the exhalation is considered as Functional Residual Capacity.Total Lung Capacity is also another component that predict the lung volumes.Normal Total lung capacity will be 6000ml.This is the maximum volume of the air taken during inspiration.

Functional Residual capacity : Expiratory reserve volume + Residual volume.

Expiratory Reserve Volume : Air exhaled forcibly and that could be 1200ml.

Residual Volume : Volume of the air remained in the lungs after Expiratory Reserve Volume is called Residual volume and this could also be 1200ml.

Total Lung Capacity = Vital capacity + Reserve Volume

Vital Capacity is Tidal Volume + Inspiratory Reserve Volume + Expiratory Reserve Volume.

Tidal Volume : Air taken during relaxation and this is 500ml.

Inspiratory Reserve volume : Air taken in forcibly and this would be 3100ml.

Vital capacity = 500+3100+1200 = 4800ml.

Functional Residual capacity = 1200 + 1200 = 2400ml.

Inspiratoty capacity = Tidal volume + Inspiratory Reserve volume

= 500 + 3100 = 3600ml.

So Total lung capacity is 4800ml + 1200 ml

6000ml.

These are the components that are responsible both for the volumes and flow of the air in the lungs.