spirometer

spirometer /spi·rom·e·ter/ (spi-rom´ĕ-ter) an instrument for measuring the air taken into and exhaled by the lungs.

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spi·rom·e·ter (sp-rm-tr)

n.

An instrument for measuring the volume of air entering and leaving the lungs.

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spiro·metric (-r-mtrk) adj.

spi·rome·try n.

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Spirometer

An instrument that is used to test lung capacity. It is used to screen patients with dyspnea.

Mentioned in: Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis, Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, Shortness of Breath

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spirometer

[spīrom′ətər]

Etymology: Gk, speira + metron, measure

an instrument that measures and records the volume of inhaled and exhaled air, used to assess pulmonary function. Volumetric information is recorded on a chart, called a spirogram. spirometric, adj.

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spirometer [spi-rom´ĕ-ter]

an instrument for measuring air inhaled into and exhaled out of the lungs; it provides a simple way of determining most of the lung volumes and capacities that are measured in pulmonary function tests. One type is the water-seal spirometer, which consists of a hollow drum floating over a chamber of water and counterbalanced by weights so that it can move freely up and down. Inside the drum is a mixture of gases, usually oxygen and air. Leading from the hollow space in the drum to the outside is a tube that has a mouthpiece through which the patient breathes. As one inhales and exhales through the tube the drum rises and falls, causing a needle to move on a nearby rotating chart. The tracing recorded on the chart is called a spirogram.

Using a flow spirometer. From Lammon et al., 1995.

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spirometer

an instrument for measuring air taken into and expelled from the lungs. The spirometer provides a relatively simple method for determining most of the lung volumes and capacities that are measured in pulmonary function tests.