Spirometry

A pulmonary function test that measures the volume and flow of air during inhalation and exhalation, providing valuable information about lung function.

 

Forced Vital Capacity (FVC):

The maximum amount of air a person can exhale forcefully after taking a deep breath, a key parameter measured in spirometry.

 

Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1):

The volume of air forcefully expelled in the first second during the FVC test, providing insight into the efficiency of airflow from the lungs.

 

FEV1/FVC Ratio:

The ratio of the forced expiratory volume in the first second to the forced vital capacity, used to assess the presence of airflow obstruction and classify lung diseases.

 

Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF):

The maximum speed at which a person can exhale air during a forced breath, often measured using a peak flow meter, complementing information obtained from spirometry.

 

Obstructive Lung Disease:

Conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) characterized by limitations in airflow, reflected in spirometry results.

 

Restrictive Lung Disease:

Conditions that reduce lung expansion, leading to decreased lung volumes and capacities, evident in spirometry findings.

 

Flow-Volume Loop:

Graphical representation of the airflow rate plotted against lung volume during spirometry, illustrating the patterns of inhalation and exhalation.

 

Bronchodilator Response:

Changes in spirometry parameters, particularly FEV1, after the administration of a bronchodilator, helping to diagnose and manage conditions like asthma.

 

Spirogram:

The visual representation of spirometry data, typically presented as a graph with time on the x-axis and volume or flow on the y-axis.