What is the volume of air inhaled during maximal inspiration called?

The volume of air inhaled during maximal inspiration is referred to as inspiratory capacity. Inspiratory capacity is specifically defined as the maximum amount of air that can be inhaled after a normal tidal expiration. It encompasses two components: the tidal volume, which is the normal amount of air inhaled or exhaled in one breath, and the inspiratory reserve volume, which is the additional air that can be inhaled with maximum effort beyond the tidal volume.

In contrast, vital capacity refers to the total amount of air that can be exhaled after a maximum inhalation, which includes inspiratory reserve volume, tidal volume, and expiratory reserve volume. Functional residual capacity encompasses the volume of air remaining in the lungs after a normal tidal expiration and consists of the expiratory reserve volume and residual volume. Lastly, expiratory reserve volume is the amount of air that can still be exhaled forcibly after the end of a normal expiration, which does not pertain to the volume of inhaled air.

By distinguishing these definitions, it is clear that inspiratory capacity accurately describes the volume of air that can be inhaled during maximal inspiration.