What is the term for the total air moved each minute?

The total air moved each minute is referred to as minute ventilation. This term encompasses both the volume of air inhaled and exhaled in one minute, which is an essential measure in respiratory physiology. Minute ventilation is calculated by multiplying tidal volume (the amount of air exchanged in a single breath) by the respiratory rate (the number of breaths taken per minute). This measurement provides critical insight into a person's respiratory efficiency and the effectiveness of gas exchange in the lungs, making it key in clinical settings, especially when assessing patients with respiratory conditions.

The other terms, while related to respiratory mechanics, do not capture the concept of total air movement over time. Tidal volume refers to the volume of air moved in or out of the lungs during a single breath, while inspiratory capacity denotes the maximum volume of air that can be inhaled after a normal expiration. Expiratory reserve volume is the amount of air that can be forcibly exhaled after a normal tidal expiration, which, like tidal volume, does not represent total ventilation over a minute.