Total lung capacity (TLC) is the maximum amount of air the lungs can hold when they are fully inflated. This amount can be measured as part of lung function tests.
To measure total lung capacity, a person sits inside a booth called a plethysmograph and breathes through a mouthpiece while pressure and air flow measurements are collected.
Author:Jeannette Curtis
Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Medical Review:Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Updated: 05/25/2007
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