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Mnemonics, Simplified Concepts & Thoughts

lung volumes and capacities

Lung Volumes and Capacities : Mnemonic

Epomedicine, Jul 10, 2018

Mnemonic: 6 LITERs

Lung Capacity (TLC = 6L) = Inspiratory reserve volume (IRV = 3.3 L) + Tidal volume (TV = 0.5 L) + Expiratory reserve volume (ERV = 1 L) + Reserve volume (RV = 1.2 L)

Mnemonic: There are 4 lung volumes that do not overlap and 4 lung capacities that overlap.

lung volumes and capacities

Lung volumes

1. Tidal volume (TV): Air inhaled and exhaled during quiet breathing

2. Inspiratory reserve volume (IRV): Maximum volume of air that can be inspired in excess of normal inspiration

3. Expiratory reserve volume (ERV): Maximum volume of air that can be expired in excess of normal expiration

4. Residual volume (RV): Volume remaining after maximal expiration

Lung capacities

1. Inspiratory capacity (IC) = TV + IRV

2. Vital capacity (VC) = TV + IRV + ERV or IC + ERV

3. Functional Residual Capacity (FRC) = ERV + RV

4. Total lung capacity (TLC) = IRV + TV + ERV + RV or IC + FRC

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PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS PhysiologyRespiratory system

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Epomedicine. Lung Volumes and Capacities : Mnemonic [Internet]. Epomedicine; 2018 Jul 10 [cited 2025 May 9]. Available from: https://epomedicine.com/medical-students/lung-volumes-and-capacities-mnemonic/.

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