Pulmonary Function Test

Pulmonary function tests are those that measure the ability of the lungs to use air. These are done with the patient breathing normally, in inspiration and forced expiration and trying to keep as much air as possible in the lung. The results help diagnose breathing problems. Pulmonary function tests are those that measure the ability of the lungs to use air. These are done with the patient breathing normally, in inspiration and forced expiration and trying to keep as much air as possible in the lung. The results help diagnose breathing problems. 1. Vital capacity – the largest amount of air that can be exhaled after a maximum inspiratory effort. Clinically, this measure is used as an indicator of pulmonary function. 2. Tidal volume – the amount of air that enters and leaves the lung with each respiratory cycle. 3. Total lung capacity – is the amount of gas that the lungs contain when they are fully expanded. 4. Residual volume – the amount of gas that remains in the lung at the end of a maximum expiration. 5. Residual functional capacity (Functional residual residual) – is the volume of gas left in the lungs at the end of normal breathing. 6. Maximum volume of ventilation Maximal volume ventilation (MVV) or capacity. 7. Maximal breathing capacity (MBC) – is the largest volume of gas that can move and leave the lungs in one minute by voluntary effort. The most commonly used test for pulmonary evaluation is spirometry. This may include the measurement of vital capacity (1), one or more parameters of air flow during forced expiration and maximum ventilation. Most spyrometries can be used to measure air flow, but they do not measure lung capacity (3), residual functional capacity (5) or residual volume (4). Most pulmonary problems can be grouped in those conditions that affect the expansion of the lung (restrictive) and those where there is increased resistance to the passage of air (obstructive). Both conditions can affect the exchange of gases, the main physiological function of the respiratory system. In addition to classifying pulmonary diseases as restrictive, obstructive, or mixed, pulmonary function studies are useful in determining the severity of the lung condition in a certain disease, monitoring its progress, and evaluating the effect of its treatment. <a id="