Keuhkoväyrä

Keuhkoväyrä, often translated as lung curve or lung graph, refers to a graphical representation of lung function. Typically, this involves plotting lung volume on the y-axis against time on the x-axis during a breathing maneuver. The most common type of keuhkoväyrä is generated during a spirometry test, which measures how much air a person can inhale and exhale, and how quickly they can exhale.

These graphs illustrate key parameters such as forced vital capacity (FVC), which is the total amount of air that can be forcefully exhaled after a maximal inhalation, and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), the volume of air exhaled in the first second of a forced exhalation. The shape of the keuhkoväyrä provides valuable diagnostic information. For instance, a normal curve rises steeply and then gradually tapers off. Obstructive lung diseases, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), often result in a keuhkoväyrä with a flattened slope, indicating a slower exhalation rate. Restrictive lung diseases, on the other hand, typically show a keuhkoväyrä with reduced volumes but a relatively normal slope. Interpretation of the keuhkoväyrä is a crucial component of diagnosing and monitoring various respiratory conditions.