Tunnicliffe EM., White PA.
Lung function testing provides useful diagnostic and prognostic information in patients with pulmonary disease. The most common tests are spirometry, for measuring airflow and volumes; full body plethysmography, for measuring lung volume and airway resistance; and gas transfer, also known as diffusing capacity, used to assess how well oxygen diffuses into the bloodstream from the lungs. This chapter discusses the physical principles behind each of these measurements and the equipment commonly used to perform them. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved.