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Under normal conditions, the average adult takes 12 to 15
breaths a minute. A breath is one complete respiratory cycle
that consists of one inspiration and one expiration.
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An instrument called a spirometer is
used to measure the volume of air that moves into and
out of the lungs, and the process of taking the measurements
is called spirometry. Respiratory (pulmonary) volumes
are an important aspect of pulmonary function testing
because they can provide information about the physical
condition of the lungs.
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Respiratory capacity (pulmonary capacity) is the sum of two
or more volumes.
Factors such as age, sex, body build, and physical conditioning
have an influence on lung volumes and capacities. Lungs usually
reach their maximumin capacity in early adulthood and decline
with age after that.
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