Spirography

Spirography is a method for studying the function of external respiration, based on recording volume and velocity parameters of breathing using a special device - a spirograph.

The essence of the method is that the patient inhales as deeply as possible, and then exhales as completely as possible into the mouthpiece of the spirograph. The following indicators are recorded:

1. vital capacity (VC) - the maximum volume of air that can be exhaled after maximum inspiration;

2. forced vital capacity (FVC) - the volume of air that can be exhaled as quickly as possible after maximum inhalation;

3. forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) - the volume of air exhaled in the first second with the fastest and deepest exhalation.

Analysis of the data obtained allows us to assess the patency of the airways, the elasticity of the lung tissue, the functionality of the respiratory and pulmonary-thoracic muscles.

Spirography is widely used for the diagnosis and monitoring of diseases such as bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, etc.

Hello! Here I want to talk about spirography, a procedure for measuring external respiration function.

Spirography in medicine is a technique for instrumental assessment of lung volumes and the physical ability of the patient’s respiratory system at rest and during changes in tidal volumes. The study is carried out using a device - a spirometer. Devices are called clinical, functional or full-featured. The clinical spirometer simulates quiet breathing using a hand-held air pressure generator and a small volume spirometer of 50 L or more. These devices conduct a test with different inhalation and exhalation delays and display a graphical recording. Test results are assessed based on the lung volume of each patient.