What is maximum voluntary expiration?

Maximum voluntary expiration (MVE) refers to the maximum amount of air that a person can forcibly exhale after taking a deep inhalation. It is an important measure in pulmonary function tests, helping to assess respiratory health and the efficiency of the lungs. MVE can indicate conditions such as obstructive or restrictive lung diseases based on the volume and speed of air expelled. This measurement is crucial for understanding lung capacity and overall respiratory function.