Total lung

The total lung volume is the total volume of gas contained in the lungs after deep inhalation, which is equal to the vital capacity plus residual volume. The total lung (TLC) measurement provides an understanding of lung function. Increases are seen in emphysema, the elderly lung. Decreasing the conditions that lead to restrictive ventilatory disturbances result in a significant reduction in lung volume. Note that normal lung volume does not necessarily mean normal lung function, as the increase and decrease in vital capacity and residual capacity can compensate each other.