Final answer:
The total volume of air contained in the lungs after the deepest possible breath, known as total lung capacity, is about six liters for an adult male, and represents the maximum amount of air the lungs can hold.
Step-by-step explanation:
The total volume of air contained in the lungs after the deepest possible breath is known as the total lung capacity (TLC). This capacity is typically around six liters for an adult male. When we inhale deeply, we fill our lungs with air up to the inspiratory capacity, and after a forceful exhalation, there is still some air left called the residual volume. The sum of inspiratory capacity and residual volume equals the total lung capacity. During a normal breath, known as tidal volume, a smaller amount of air is inhaled. Therefore, the total lung capacity represents the maximum amount of air that can be contained in the lungs.