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What is Lung Volume?

P. Illsley
P. Illsley

Lung volume is the percentage of air that lungs can hold at any given period of time. This differs from person to person. The physical differences that accompany lung volume are known as lung volumes. There is also something very similar to this called lung capacity, which are the variety of combinations that lung volumes can take on. This has to do with the inhaling and exhaling of air into and out of the lungs.

On average, a human being can retain 6.3 quarts (6 liters) of air in his lungs at any one time. The capacity of the lungs that is needed for regular breathing uses a very small proportion of this, however. Every minute, an average person breathes anywhere from nine to 20 times.

Lung volume is the amount of air normally breathed into and out of the lungs.
Lung volume is the amount of air normally breathed into and out of the lungs.

The type of breathing done by humans, as well as all types of mammals, is known as tidal breathing. What this means is that when air is breathed into the body, it enters the lungs in the same manner as it exits the lungs. Sometimes it is described as tidal volume (TV). Another aspect that is important to this is the fact that there is no conscious effort involved in breathing for all mammals. Breathing is involuntary.

Lung volume measurements can be used as an instrument for study. They provide valuable information into how the lungs work. Lung volume can also be beneficial in terms of evaluating respiratory diseases.

Human beings can retain  6 liters of air in the lungs at a given time.
Human beings can retain 6 liters of air in the lungs at a given time.

There are a few terms connected to lung volume that are important to be aware of. Vital capacity (VC) is the total amount of air that is able to be exhaled following an inhalation. There is never a point at which the lungs contain no air whatsoever; to be alive, mammals must have air circulating to and from the lungs. Residual volume (RV) is the air volume that remains in the lung after a complete exhalation has taken place. VC and RV are added together to provide total lung capacity (TLC).

Smokers tend to have smaller lung volumes.
Smokers tend to have smaller lung volumes.

Lung volume can be affected by a variety of factors. Some of these can be controlled voluntarily, while others are not within the control of the individual. People who tend to have larger lung volumes include males, taller individuals, athletes, non-smokers, and those living at high altitudes. On the other side, those with smaller lung volumes often include females, shorter individuals, non-athletes, smokers, and those residing in areas of low altitudes.

Discussion Comments

hyrax53

Like so many parts of the body, vital capacity of lung volume is something where if you don't use it, you lose it. Yes, there are factors like size and genetics and disease that can affect lung volume, but even then things like exercise can still improve your capacity.

Catapult

The people I have known with the largest lung volumes were swimmers, brass musicians, and long time runners. Now that I run, I can tell my volume is much better, though I have never had a lung volume test. The best part of this is that now I also have more air when I sing, which I had never imagined would be a side effect of running.

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    • Lung volume is the amount of air normally breathed into and out of the lungs.
      By: Alexandr Mitiuc
      Lung volume is the amount of air normally breathed into and out of the lungs.
    • Human beings can retain  6 liters of air in the lungs at a given time.
      By: CLIPAREA.com
      Human beings can retain 6 liters of air in the lungs at a given time.
    • Smokers tend to have smaller lung volumes.
      By: Brett Mulcahy
      Smokers tend to have smaller lung volumes.
    • Those living in high altitudes tend to have higher lung volumes.
      By: Pavel Svoboda
      Those living in high altitudes tend to have higher lung volumes.
    • Lung volume may be negatively affected by scoliosis.
      By: Syda Productions
      Lung volume may be negatively affected by scoliosis.
    • Oxygen bars may be located at places at high altitudes.
      Oxygen bars may be located at places at high altitudes.
    • Not smoking can help someone have a larger lung volume.
      By: Serhiy Kobyakov
      Not smoking can help someone have a larger lung volume.