Respiratory System

Respiration and Breathing

How does lung capacity differ in men and women?

While tidal volume remains constant between men and women at 500 milliliters, there are differences in other lung volumes and capacities. Total lung capacity is 4,200 milliliters for women and 6,000 milliliters for men. The residual volume of air is approximately 1,100 milliliters for women and 1,200 milliliters for men. The inspiratory reserve volume is approximately 1,900 milliliters for women and 3,300 milliliters for men. The expiratory reserve volume is about 700 milliliters in women and 1,000 milliliters in men.



The pitch of men’s voices is typically lower than women’s because their vocal chords are longer. (c) iStockphoto.com/Robert Kohlhuber.
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