UCLA CONFERENCE Evaluation of Lung Function

SUMMARY Evaluation of lung function re-quires evaluation of the function of the entire respiratory apparatus of which the lung is ordinarily the most critical part. It is of diagnostic value in determining the presence, type, and extent of disease. It is of therapeutic value in following the course of disease and its response to management. And, finally, it is of value in making relatively objective determinations of the degree of disability due to respiratory disease. Ideally, lung function tests should independently evaluate the function of the airways, lung circula-tion, and lung parenchyma where gas exchange oc-curs. In addition, interactions between these three parts of the system are often very important. Usually, the functions are evaluated by tech