Describe Lung Function Test and Capacities.

SUBMITTED BY: ARHAM AHMAD
SAP ID: 057000

SUBJECT: PHYSIOLOGY III
SUBMITTED TO: DR ARNAB ALTAF
TOPIC: LUNG FUNCTION TEST AND
CAPACITIES
_______________________________________
A Lung Function Test (also called Pulmonary Function Test, or PFT) is a diagnostic
procedure used to measure how well the lungs are working. It helps assess the ability of
the lungs to bring oxygen into the body and remove carbon dioxide. These tests are
crucial for diagnosing lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD), and other pulmonary disorders. The tests measure various lung
volumes and capacities, giving detailed insights into lung function.
Key Lung Volumes
Lung volumes refer to the amount of air the lungs can hold during different phases of
the breathing cycle.
1. Tidal Volume (TV):

o The amount of air you breathe in or out with each normal breath (usually
about 500 mL in adults at rest).
2. Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV):
o The additional air you can inhale after taking a normal breath (after a
normal tidal inspiration). This is typically about 3,000 mL in a healthy adult.
3. Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV):
o The extra air you can exhale after a normal breath (after a normal tidal
expiration). This is about 1,200 mL in a healthy adult.
4. Residual Volume (RV):
o The amount of air that remains in the lungs after a full exhalation (you
can't breathe this air out). This is about 1,200 mL and ensures the lungs
don’t collapse.
Key Lung Capacities
Lung capacities are combinations of the lung volumes, indicating the total amount of air
the lungs can hold.
1. Total Lung Capacity (TLC):

o The maximum amount of air the lungs can hold, which is the sum of all
lung volumes: TLC=TV+IRV+ERV+RVTLC = TV + IRV + ERV +
RVTLC=TV+IRV+ERV+RV
o In healthy adults, this is about 6,000 mL.
2. Vital Capacity (VC):
o The total amount of air you can exhale after taking the deepest possible
breath. This includes the inspiratory reserve volume, tidal volume, and
expiratory reserve volume: VC=IRV+TV+ERVVC = IRV + TV +
ERVVC=IRV+TV+ERV
o In healthy adults, this is about 4,800 mL.
3. Inspiratory Capacity (IC):
o The maximum amount of air you can inhale after a normal expiration. This
includes tidal volume and inspiratory reserve volume: IC=TV+IRVIC = TV
+ IRVIC=TV+IRV
4. Functional Residual Capacity (FRC):
o The amount of air remaining in the lungs after a normal expiration. This is
the sum of the expiratory reserve volume and the residual volume:
FRC=ERV+RVFRC = ERV + RVFRC=ERV+RV
Spirometry: A Common Lung Function Test

One of the most common tests is spirometry, which measures the volume of air
inhaled and exhaled. It provides several important measurements:
1. Forced Vital Capacity (FVC):

o The total amount of air you can forcibly exhale after taking the deepest
breath possible.
2. Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV1):
o The amount of air you can forcefully exhale in the first second of an
exhalation. This is a key measurement for diagnosing conditions like
asthma and COPD.
3. FEV1/FVC Ratio:
o This ratio is important for assessing airway obstruction. A lower ratio
suggests that a person may have obstructive lung disease, like asthma or
COPD.
4. Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF):
o The maximum speed at which you can exhale air, which is often
measured in asthma management.
Additional Testing
In some cases, other tests may be performed to get a more complete picture of lung
function:
 Lung Volumes via Plethysmography: Measures the volumes of air in the

lungs, including residual volume, to calculate total lung capacity and functional
residual capacity.
 Diffusion Capacity (DLCO): Measures how well oxygen and other gases pass
from the lungs into the blood. This test is useful for detecting diseases like
pulmonary fibrosis.
What Can These Tests Diagnose?

 Obstructive Lung Diseases: Conditions like asthma or COPD where there is a
difficulty in expelling air from the lungs (low FEV1, low FEV1/FVC ratio).
 Restrictive Lung Diseases: Conditions like pulmonary fibrosis where the lungs
cannot expand fully (low total lung capacity, low vital capacity).
 Mixed Conditions: Diseases that have both obstructive and restrictive
components.
Conclusion
Lung function tests are essential tools for understanding how well your lungs are
working. By assessing lung volumes and capacities, along with airflow measurements,
these tests help physicians diagnose, monitor, and treat respiratory conditions
effectively.

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SUBMITTED BY: ARHAM AHMAD

SAP ID: 057000

Key Lung Volumes

1. Tidal Volume (TV):

Key Lung Capacities

1. Total Lung Capacity (TLC):

Spirometry: A Common Lung Function Test

1. Forced Vital Capacity (FVC):

 Lung Volumes via Plethysmography: Measures the volumes of air in the

What Can These Tests Diagnose?

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