What is the volume of air inhaled and exhaled with each breath known as?

The volume of air inhaled and exhaled with each breath is referred to as tidal volume. This term specifically describes the normal amount of air that is moved in and out of the lungs during relaxed, restful breathing. Typically, tidal volume is about 500 mL in an average adult at rest, which indicates the amount of air exchanged with each breathing cycle.

In contrast, residual volume refers to the air that remains in the lungs after a person exhales maximally, ensuring that the lungs do not collapse. Expiratory reserve volume is the maximal amount of air that can be exhaled after a normal exhalation, while inspiratory reserve volume is the additional air that can be inhaled after a normal inhalation. Each of these other volumes plays a distinct role in respiratory physiology but does not capture the concept of tidal volume, which is specifically about the normal breathing cycle.