Hospital tests

7) Lung Volumes

Whole body plethysmography

Whole body plethysmography

This test measures the total size of the lungs including the areas inside the lung which cannot be emptied.
There are different ways of measuring lung volumes.

  • One breathing oxygen.
  • One involves being enclosed in a glass box where pressure changes in the lungs are measured.
  • One involves breathing Helium, this method is now less common.