Inspiratory Reserve Volume – The amount of air that can be breathed in after normal inhalation

(Pronounced in-spi-ruh-teree)

In order to remember what inspiratory reserve volume is, it will be necessary to break the words down to their different part meanings as follows:

1. We know that spira means breathing. 

Spira = Breathing

2. So inspira refers to breathing in. 

3. In this context, reserve refers to an additional supply. For example a pilot with an additional reserve fuel tank for their plane. This would not be used unless called upon on a long journey. 

4. Reserve volume therefore refers to the additional volume of air.

So if we combine inspiratory reserve volume we get:

Breathing in, additional volume of air.

In other words inspiratory reserve volume means:

The amount of additional air that can be breathed in on top of normal breathing. 

The amount of air that can be forcibly inhaled beyond a tidal inhalation is about 3,000ml or 3 litres for men and 2,000ml or 2 litres for women.