What does Inspiratory Capacity (IC) consist of?

Inspiratory Capacity (IC) is a vital lung volume measurement that indicates the maximum amount of air that can be inspired after a normal expiration. It is comprised of two components: Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV) and Tidal Volume (Vt).

IRV represents the additional air that can be inhaled after a normal tidal breath, while Vt is the amount of air that is exchanged during normal breathing. Together, these two lung volumes provide a complete picture of the lung's ability to accommodate extra air intake beyond typical breathing.

Other combinations listed do not correctly define IC, as they include components that do not contribute to this specific measurement. For instance, Functional Residual Capacity (FRC) and Vital Capacity (VC) are important lung volume metrics but do not directly relate to Inspiratory Capacity.