Lesson 3: What is a spirometer?

The function of lungs can be measured using a spirometer, allowing doctors to identify numerous problems in the lungs.

  • A spirometer is a piece of apparatus that measure gas exchange in the lungs.
  • It measures the volume of air both inspired (breathed in) and expired (breathed out) in someone.
  • When using a spirometer, someone breathes into and out of a spirometer to measure lung function.

There are a lot of things a spirometer can measure... let's look at it.