Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Inspiratory Reserve Volume is the additional amount of air that can be inhaled with maximum effort after a normal inhalation. It represents the reserve capacity of the lungs beyond the regular tidal volume.
The amount of air inhaled or exhaled during normal breathing with each breath.
Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV): The maximum amount of air that can be forcibly exhaled after completing a normal, quiet respiratory cycle.
Vital Capacity (VC): The total amount of air that can be expelled from the lungs after taking the deepest breath possible, which includes tidal volume plus inspiratory and expiratory reserve volumes