What is the normal respiratory rhythm in breaths per minute?

The normal respiratory rhythm typically ranges from 12 to 20 breaths per minute for a healthy adult at rest. The average value often cited for adults is approximately 12 to 16 breaths per minute, with 12 being on the lower end of the normal range. Choosing 12 as a representative number is common in clinical practice to signify normalcy, as it falls directly within this established range.

This range can vary slightly based on factors such as age, gender, physical fitness, and health status, so stating 12 breaths per minute provides a good baseline understanding of normal respiratory function.