Pulmonary function testing
Pulmonary function testing quantifies airflow, lung volumes and diffusion characteristics to characterize physiology. Measurements require acceptable technique and appropriate reference interpretation.
Open interactive lesson & self-check ↗Pulmonary function testing — specialty learning map
Original conceptual SVG · scalableOriginal overview diagram showing four related domains. This is not a literal anatomy drawing, histologic image or clinical decision rule.
Spirometry
FEV1 and FVC describe timed forced expiration. The ratio helps characterize airflow obstruction in the clinical and reference-range context.
Lung volumes
Total lung capacity is needed to confirm many restrictive ventilatory patterns; a reduced FVC alone does not prove restriction.
Diffusing capacity
DLCO evaluates carbon monoxide transfer under standardized conditions and depends on factors including hemoglobin and alveolar-capillary surface.
Quality and context
Repeatability, effort, age, height, reference equations and recent illness can influence observed results and their meaning.
Reference and next reading
Explore the original curriculum and publisher-hosted resources for full-depth reading; this note is an original schematic introduction, not an exhaustive chapter.