Physiology of the

Respiratory System
(Spirometry)
INTRODUCTION
● Respiratory System - provides the organism
with oxygen necessary for all vital functioning
and removes metabolic byproducts such as
carbon dioxide.
■ includes Ventilation
● Ventilation - movement of air into and out of
the lungs, and the transport of oxygen and
carbon dioxide between lungs and body cells.
● Inspiration – air is taken into the lungs external intercostal muscles and
diaphragm contract diaphragm flattens as it moves inferiorly while the
external intercostal muscles lift the rib cage increases the thoracic
volume = air rushes into the lungs because this increase thoracic
volume creates a partial vacuum

● Expiration – air is expelled from the lungs; passive process inspiratory

muscles relax, diaphragm rise superiorly and chest wall to move inward
thorax returns to its normal shape = elastic properties of the lung and
thoracic wall the pressure in the lungs rises, forcing air out of the lungs
and airways abdominal-wall muscles and the internal intercostal
muscles contract during expiration to force additional air from the lungs
Tidal volume
- the amount of air inspired and then expires with each breath under resting
conditions (quiet breathing)
- quiet breathing: 500mL (0.5L) of air into and out of the lungs with each
breath
- vary due to a person’s size, sex, age, physical condition, and immediate
respiratory needs

Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)

- amount of air that can be forcefully inspired after a normal tidal volume
inspiration
Male: 3100mL
Female: 1900mL
Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)
- amount of air that can be forcefully expired after a normal tidal volume
expiration

Male: 1200mL
Female: 700mL

Residual Volume (RV)

- amount of air remaining in the lungs after forceful and complete expiration

Male: 1200mL
Female: 1100mL
*Respiratory capacities are calculated from the respiratory volumes.

Total Lung Capacity (TLC)

- maximum amount of air contained in lungs after a maximum inspiratory
effort
TLC = TV+IRV+ERV+RV

Male: 6000mL
Female: 4200mL

Vital Capacity (VC)

- maximum amount of air that can be inspired and then expired with maximal
effort
VC = TV+IRV+ERV
Spirometry - a physiological test that measures how
an individual inhales or exhales
volumes of air as a function of time. The primary signal measured in spirometry
may be volume

or flow
Discussion
Vital Capacity
Vital Capacity

= the total amount of air that can be expired

after full inspiration.

= IRV + ERV + TV

Normal VC in adults is about 4800mL.

Vital Capacity = _____mL

EXPIRATORY PRESSURE
INSPIRATORY PRESSURE
PASSIVE PRESSURE
PASSIVE PRESSURE
LUNG PASSIVE PRESSURE
LUNG PASSIVE PRESSURE
CONCLUSI
ON
 Spirometry can be an effective method
to allow many components of pulmonary
function to be visualized, measured. and
calculated.