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The amount of air that remains in the lungs simply to keep them open is called the:

A. tidal volume
B. inspiratory reserve volume
C. expiratory reserve volume
D. residual volume

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The amount of air that remains in the lungs simply to keep them open is called the residual volume (RV). It prevents the alveoli from collapsing and makes breathing easier.

Step-by-step explanation:

The amount of air that remains in the lungs simply to keep them open is called the residual volume (RV). The residual volume is the air left in the lungs after exhaling as much air as possible. It prevents the alveoli from collapsing and makes breathing easier. It is the only lung volume that cannot be measured directly but can be calculated.

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