Which term refers to the air that can be exhaled in excess of tidal expiration with maximum effort?

Expiratory reserve volume refers to the amount of air that can be forcibly exhaled after the expiration of a normal tidal volume. This is the extra air that is expelled from the lungs when a person blows out forcefully after a regular breath. It is significant in respiratory physiology because it helps to assess lung function and capacity, particularly in understanding how much air can be actively exhaled beyond what is typically breathed out during regular, quiet breathing.

In contrast, tidal volume is the amount of air inhaled or exhaled in a normal breath, inspiratory reserve volume measures the additional air that can be inhaled after a normal inhalation, and residual volume is the amount of air remaining in the lungs after a forced exhalation. Each of these volumes plays a role in overall lung capacity and respiratory health, but for the specific context of expelling maximum air beyond normal breathing, expiring reserve volume is the correct term.