Final answer:
The vital capacity (VC) is the pulmonary capacity measured when a person inhales deeply and subsequently exhales completely, consisting of the expiratory reserve volume, tidal volume, and inspiratory reserve volume.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pulmonary capacity that can be measured when a person inhales as deeply as possible and then exhales as much as possible is known as vital capacity (VC). This capacity includes the expiratory reserve volume, the tidal volume, and the inspiratory reserve volume, which combined represent the total amount of air a person can forcefully exhale after a full inhalation. Vital capacity is a critical measurement in pulmonary function testing and can vary between individuals based on genetics, sex, and height. It is usually between 4000 and 5000 milliliters for adults.