Editing Spirometry (section)

{{Short description|Pulmonary function test}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox diagnostic
| Name            = Spirometry
| Image           = Flow-volume-loop.svg
| Alt             =
| Caption         = Flow-Volume loop showing successful FVC maneuver. Positive values represent expiration, negative values represent inspiration. At the start of the test both flow and volume are equal to zero (representing the volume in the spirometer rather than the lung). The trace moves clockwise for expiration followed by inspiration. After the starting point the curve rapidly mounts to a peak (the peak expiratory flow). (Note the FEV1 value is arbitrary in this graph and just shown for illustrative purposes; these values must be calculated as part of the procedure).
| DiseasesDB      =
| ICD10           =
| ICD9            =
| ICDO            =
| MedlinePlus     =
| eMedicine       =
| MeshID          = D013147
| LOINC           =
| HCPCSlevel2     =
| OPS301          = {{OPS301|1-712}}
| Reference_range = 
}}
{{Pulmonary function}}
[[File:DoingSpirometry.JPG|thumb|right|Doing spirometry]]
'''Spirometry''' (meaning ''the measuring of breath'') is the most common of the [[pulmonary function test]]s (PFTs). It measures [[lung]] function, specifically the amount (volume) and/or speed (flow) of air that can be inhaled and exhaled. Spirometry is helpful in assessing breathing patterns that identify conditions such as [[asthma]], [[pulmonary fibrosis]], [[cystic fibrosis]], and [[Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease|COPD]]. It is also helpful as part of a system of [[Public health surveillance|health surveillance]], in which breathing patterns are measured over time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/spirometry/|title=Spirometry|website=[[National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health]] (NIOSH)|access-date=2017-01-31}}</ref>

Spirometry generates pneumotachographs, which are charts that plot the volume and flow of air coming in and out of the lungs from one inhalation and one exhalation.