capacity

capacity /ca·pac·i·ty/ (kah-pas´i-te) the power to hold, retain, or contain, or the ability to absorb; usually expressed numerically as the measure of such ability.

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forced vital capacity  (FVC) vital capacity measured when the patient is exhaling with maximal speed and effort.

functional residual capacity  the amount of air remaining at the end of normal quiet respiration.

heat capacity  the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a specific quantity of a substance by one degree Celsius. Symbol C.

inspiratory capacity  the volume of gas that can be taken into the lungs in a full inhalation, starting from the resting inspiratory position; equal to the tidal volume plus the inspiratory reserve volume.

maximal breathing capacity  maximum voluntary ventilation.

thermal capacity  heat c.

total lung capacity  the amount of gas contained in the lung at the end of a maximal inhalation.

Subdivisions of total lung capacity: TLC, total lung capacity; VT, tidal volume; IC, inspiratory capacity; FRC, functional residual capacity; ERV, expiratory reserve volume; VC, vital capacity; RV, residual volume.

virus neutralizing capacity  the ability of a serum to inhibit the infectivity of a virus.

vital capacity  VC; the volume of gas that can be expelled from the lungs from a position of full inspiration, with no limit to duration of inspiration; equal to inspiratory capacity plus expiratory reserve volume.

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ca·pac·i·ty (k-ps-t)

n.

1. The measure of potential cubic contents of a cavity or receptacle; volume.

2. Ability to perform or produce; capability.

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capacity,

n legal qualification, competency, power, or fitness.

capacity, functional residual,

n (normal capacity), the volume of gas in the lungs at resting expiratory level.

capacity, iron-binding,

n a measure of the binding capacity of iron in the serum; helps to differentiate the causes of hypoferremia. This capacity tends to increase in iron deficiency and diminishes in chronic diseases and during infection.

capacity, normal,

n See capacity, functional residual.

capacity, total lung (TLC),

n the volume of air in the lungs at the end of maximal inspiration.

capacity, vital (VC),

n the maximum volume of air that can be expired after maximal inspiration.

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capacity

the power to hold, retain, or contain, or the ability to absorb; usually expressed numerically as the measure of such ability.

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carrying capacity

see carrying capacity.

closing capacity (CC)

the volume of gas in the lungs at the time of airway closure. See also closing volume.

forced vital capacity

the maximal volume of gas that can be exhaled from full inspiration exhaling as forcefully and rapidly as possible. See also pulmonary function tests.

functional residual capacity

the amount of gas remaining at the end of normal quiet respiration.

heat capacity

thermal capacity.

inspiratory capacity

the volume of gas that can be taken into the lungs in a full inspiration, starting from the resting inspiratory position; equal to the tidal volume plus the inspiratory reserve volume.

maximal breathing capacity

maximal voluntary ventilation.

thermal capacity

the amount of heat absorbed by a body in being raised 1°C.

total lung capacity

the amount of gas contained in the lung at the end of a maximal inspiration.

virus neutralizing capacity

the ability of a serum to inhibit the infectivity of a virus.

vital capacity

the volume of gas that can be expelled from the lungs from a position of full inspiration, with no limit to duration of expiration; equal to inspiratory capacity plus expiratory reserve volume.