OHST Practice Exam

The term that describes the volume of air inhaled and exhaled in a normal human breath is known as tidal volume. This refers specifically to the amount of air that is exchanged with each breath during regular, resting breathing patterns. Understanding tidal volume is crucial in respiratory physiology as it represents the basic unit of ventilation for the lungs. It typically amounts to about 500 milliliters in a healthy adult at rest, although this can vary based on factors such as age, gender, and overall lung health. In contrast, residual volume refers to the amount of air remaining in the lungs after a forced exhalation, and vital capacity is the maximal amount of air that can be exhaled after a maximal inhalation. Supplemental air is not a standard term in this context and does not relate directly to the measurement of normal breath volumes. Therefore, tidal volume is the appropriate term that encapsulates the standard breath exchange in a typical respiratory cycle.