What describes the maximum volume of expiration that can be pushed out after a normal expiration?

The maximum volume of air that can be forcibly exhaled after a normal expiration is known as the expiratory reserve volume. This measurement reflects the additional air that can be expelled from the lungs following a typical exhalation and is vital for assessing lung function.

Expiratory reserve volume is significant in respiratory physiology because it indicates how much air remains in the lungs that can still be exhaled, thus providing insight into lung capacity and respiratory health. It is distinct from tidal volume, which represents the amount of air inhaled or exhaled during normal breathing, and from inspiratory reserve volume, which denotes the additional air that can be inhaled after a normal inhalation. Vital capacity refers to the total volume of air that can be exhaled after a maximum inhalation but does not specifically address the air pushed out after a normal expiration, thereby distinguishing it from the correct answer. Understanding these distinctions is crucial in the study of respiratory physiology and the mechanics of breathing.