Vital Capacity |Respiratory System

Vital Capacity
Photo by the author with the help of Canva

This article discusses different aspects of Vital capacity. Learn about tests, procedures, indications, and more.

Keywords:  

Vital capacity| InspiratoryReserve volume|Expiratory reserve Volume| Tidal volume| Vitalograph| Spirometer |Nerve supply|Respiratory System

 Table of contents

1.	Introduction
2.	Description
3.	Vital capacity depends on
4.	Measurement
5.	Utility

 

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 Introduction:

Vital capacity measures respiratory functions and indicates respiratory and overall health conditions. It indicates functions of higher brain and respiratory centers, strength of respiratory muscles, regular nerve supply to the respiratory muscles, and functions of the lungs and chest wall.

Description

Vital capacity (VC) is the air volume that can be expired by forceful effort, following maximal deepest possible inspiration.

The subject takes a deep breath of maximal inspiration and then breathes out forcefully. The volume of air expelled indicates vital capacity.

The total Tidal volume (TV), Inspiratory reserve(IRV), and Expiratory reserve volumes (ERV) make Vital capacity.

VC=TV+ IRV+ERV.

Tidal Volume (TV):

The volume of air breathed in or breathed out during normal resting breathing, i.e., eupnea, is known as tidal volume. The average volume is 500 ml, and the range is 300-700 ml (6-8 ML per Kg body weight). It increases during exercise and excitement.

The inspiratory reserve volume(IRV)

The volume of air that can be inspired after a normal tidal volume over the tidal inspiration. This reserve volume is used during deep breathing. The usual adult range is 1900-3300 ml.

Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)

The amount of air that can be breathed out forcefully after a normal tidal expiration. The usual adult range is 700-1200 ml.

In normal spontaneous breathing, we take in 500 ml of air and breathe out 500 ml. In addition to 500 ml, one can breathe in more air (IRV) or expel more air (ERV) with maximum effort.

The average value of vital capacity differs in male and female

Normal is 4.8 liters in males, i.e., 2.6 L/meter square of body surface area (BSA)

and 3.2 liters in females, i.e., 2.1 L/meter square of body surface area (BSA).

Irrespective of sex, the range is 3.5 to 5.5 liters in adults.

Vital capacity depends on

1. Age: Vital capacity gradually reduces after adulthood in old age. This reduction is due to many reasons, one of which is the replacement of the elastic tissues of the lungs by fibrous tissues.

2. Height: Tall individuals have more body surface area, which causes a large chest volume, which increases vital capacity.

3. Power of respiratory muscles -vital capacity increases when respiratory muscles are powerful. Vital capacity is more in swimmers and athletes.

4. Sex vital capacity is less in females due to less surface area and muscle strength.

5. Physical condition: Obesity and pregnancy can reduce lung movements, decreasing Vital capacity. Regular exercise and robust, healthy muscles will increase vital capacity. Respiratory muscle weakness, for example, in poliomyelitis, will decrease vital capacity.

 6. Posture: It is more in standing than sitting-lying positions.

7. General health is run-down; weakness can be due to any cause, such as some diseases like asthma, and vital capacity is reduced. Lung and pleural diseases include pleural effusion, pulmonary fibrosis, and respiratory obstruction. Chest deformities include pigeon chest and kyphoscoliosis.

How to measure Vital capacity:

Vital capacity may be measured by

1. Simple spirometer or student spirometer, also known as Vitalograph.

2.Recording spirometer (spiro=breath; meter= measuring device.).This is widely used. It is a sophisticated instrument.

Procedure: 

The individual usually breathes for two minutes and then inspires as deeply and fully as possible. He keeps the nostrils closed with his thumb and fingers and expels all the air he can with maximum effort in the mouthpiece of the spirometer. The spirometer records the volume of air exhaled, which is the Vital capacity in ml.

Spirometry for vital capacity measurement
Photo by the author with the help of Canva

Utility of vital capacity measurement:

Vital capacity measurement is a simple, cheap, and valuable way to assess the lungs' ventilatory functions and general condition.

Vital capacity provides information about higher centers, respiratory centers, conditions of respiratory muscles, integrity of nerve supply, and conditions of lungs and chest.

1. In the diagnosis of respiratory diseases

2. Prognosis of respiratory diseases.

3. Monitor the condition of respiratory disease and assess the effect of treatment.

4. Assess overall health.

Conclusion:

Understanding vital capacity is vital for maintaining and managing respiratory diseases, especially respiratory health.

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Internal Links:

                          https://blog.totalphysiology.com/2022/08/surfactant-covid-19-corona-virus.html

                         https://blog.totalphysiology.com/2022/09/dead-space-human-respiration.html

                         https://blog.totalphysiology.com/2022/09/diffusion-capacity-of-lungs-respiratory.html 

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