Which term describes the maximum amount of air that the lungs can contain?

The term that describes the maximum amount of air that the lungs can contain is total lung capacity. Total lung capacity represents the sum of all the lung volumes and includes the vital capacity (the maximum amount of air that can be exhaled after a maximum inhalation) as well as the residual volume (the air remaining in the lungs after a maximum exhalation). This means when considering the total lung capacity, one is looking at the overall air volume that the lungs can accommodate at full inflation.

In contrast, the other terms refer to specific components of lung volume but do not encompass the entire capacity of the lungs. Vital capacity focuses only on the air that can be breathed in and out, excluding the residual volume. Functional residual capacity measures the air remaining in the lungs after a normal exhalation. Inspiratory capacity refers to the maximum volume of air that can be inhaled after a normal exhalation. Therefore, total lung capacity is the comprehensive measure of lung volume, making it the correct choice for this question.