Vital capacity (VC)

Definition

Vital capacity is the maximum amount of air a person can exhale after a maximum inhalation, measuring the strength and health of respiratory function. It combines tidal volume, inspiratory reserve volume, and expiratory reserve volume.

Related terms

Tidal Volume:

The amount of air inhaled or exhaled during normal breathing.

Inspiratory Reserve Volume:

The additional amount of air that can be inhaled with maximum effort after a normal inhalation.

Expiratory Reserve Volume:

The extra amount of air that can be forcibly exhaled after the end of a normal exhalation