Final answer:
Vital capacity (VC) is a measurement of the maximum amount of air that can be exhaled after a maximal inhalation, combining the tidal volume, expiratory reserve volume, and inspiratory reserve volume, typically ranging from 4000 to 5000 milliliters in adults.
Step-by-step explanation:
Vital capacity (VC) is a term used in pulmonary physiology to describe the maximum amount of air a person can exhale after having inhaled to the fullest extent. It is a sum of several lung volumes: the tidal volume (TV), which is the amount of air inhaled or exhaled in a normal breath; the expiratory reserve volume (ERV), which is the additional air that can be forcibly exhaled after the end of a normal expiration; and the inspiratory reserve volume (IRV), which is the additional air that can be forcibly inhaled after the completion of a normal inspiration.Vital capacity is an important measure in respiratory health, reflecting the capacity of the lungs to move air effectively and is often measured during pulmonary function testing. It can be affected by many factors, including age, sex, body size, and condition of the lungs. Normal values for VC are between 4000 and 5000 milliliters for adults. This capacity is crucial for activities that require finely tuned respiratory control and can provide significant insight into respiratory health.