Vital Capacity of the Lungs Proper

The required vital capacity of the lungs (VLC) is the volume of air that a person can maximally exhale after maximal inhalation. This indicator reflects the functionality of the respiratory system.

VCLD depends on the gender, age, height and body weight of a person. Men have more VCLD than women. This is due to the larger size of the lungs and chest. With age, VCLD decreases due to weakening of the respiratory muscles and decreased elasticity of the lung tissue.

To determine VCLD, spirometry is used - a study of the function of external respiration. The patient inhales as much as possible and then exhales as much as possible into the mouthpiece of the spirometer. The device measures the volume of exhaled air, which will be the VELd.

Knowing the vital capacity of the lungs is necessary to assess the state of the respiratory system, identify its diseases and monitor the effectiveness of treatment. A decrease in VCLD compared to normal values ​​may indicate the development of bronchial asthma, emphysema and other pathologies.