vital capacity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vital capacity" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in a medical or physiological context to refer to the maximum amount of air a person can expel from the lungs after a maximum inhalation. Example: "The doctor measured my vital capacity to assess my lung function and overall respiratory health."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As such, vital capacity should be consistently measured.

Nature

This leads to a severe reduction in vital capacity, especially when the subject is recumbent.

Britannica

For males, there was a significant (4.5%) effect of pleural plaques on forced vital capacity.

Stanford University

Vital capacity.

JA Clinical Reports

forced vital capacity.

Clinical and Translational Medicine

inspiratory vital capacity.

Molecular and Cellular Pediatrics

○ FVC: forced vital capacity.

EJNMMI Research

Predicted postoperative forced vital capacity.

Surgical Case Reports

Vital capacity intwo groups on four stages.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity.

Clinical and Translational Medicine

Vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and PCEF were significantly higher after than before extubation.

Annals of Intensive Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing respiratory health or lung function, use "vital capacity" precisely to refer to the maximum amount of air that can be expelled after a maximum inhalation. This specific definition helps avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "vital capacity" interchangeably with "total lung capacity". "Vital capacity" excludes residual volume, while "total lung capacity" includes it. Using the terms incorrectly can lead to misinterpretations of lung function assessments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vital capacity" functions as a noun phrase and is commonly used as a subject or object in sentences related to respiratory physiology and medicine. As Ludwig AI points out, it's found in medical contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

Academia

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

News & Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "vital capacity" is a noun phrase denoting the maximum volume of air that can be exhaled after a maximal inhalation. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used in scientific and medical contexts. The phrase is predominantly found in academic and scientific literature, serving the purpose of quantifying lung function. Related phrases include "lung capacity" and "pulmonary capacity", but it's important to distinguish "vital capacity" from "total lung capacity", as they have distinct definitions. Using "vital capacity" precisely helps avoid ambiguity in discussions about respiratory health.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lung capacity

Refers to the total volume of air the lungs can hold, a broader term than "vital capacity".

pulmonary capacity

A more formal, medical synonym for lung capacity, indicating the lungs' ability to function.

respiratory capacity

Focuses on the entire respiratory system's ability to exchange gases, rather than just lung volume.

forced vital capacity

A specific measurement of how quickly air can be exhaled, often used in pulmonary function tests.

total lung capacity

The maximum volume of air the lungs can contain after maximal inhalation, encompassing residual volume.

expiratory reserve volume

The amount of extra air exhaled after a normal breath, part of calculating "vital capacity".

inspiratory capacity

The maximum amount of air inhaled after a normal exhalation, another component of lung volume measurement.

breathing capacity

A general term for the lungs' ability to inhale and exhale air effectively.

ventilatory capacity

Refers to the ability of the lungs and respiratory system to move air in and out.

pulmonary function

A broader term encompassing all aspects of lung performance, including volumes and flow rates.

FAQs

How is "vital capacity" typically measured?

Vital capacity is typically measured using spirometry, a pulmonary function test that assesses the volume of air a person can exhale after a maximal inhalation. This measurement helps evaluate lung function and diagnose respiratory conditions.

What factors can affect a person's "vital capacity"?

Factors such as age, sex, height, and underlying respiratory conditions like asthma, COPD, or pulmonary fibrosis can affect a person's "vital capacity". Certain neuromuscular diseases can also impact respiratory muscle strength, thereby affecting vital capacity.

How does forced "vital capacity" differ from slow vital capacity?

Forced vital capacity (FVC) measures the amount of air exhaled forcefully and quickly, while slow vital capacity (SVC) measures the same volume exhaled slowly. A higher SVC compared to FVC can indicate small airway collapse and air trapping.

When is it important to measure "vital capacity"?

Measuring "vital capacity" is important in diagnosing and monitoring respiratory diseases, assessing the impact of neuromuscular disorders on breathing, and evaluating the effectiveness of respiratory therapies. It is also useful in pre-operative assessments for patients undergoing surgeries that may affect respiratory function.