What is the term for the minimum volume of air in the lungs after complete exhalation?

The term for the minimum volume of air remaining in the lungs after complete exhalation is referred to as residual volume. This volume cannot be voluntarily expelled and is important because it keeps the alveoli open, preventing lung collapse and allowing for continuous gas exchange between breaths.

When considering the other options, vital capacity represents the maximum amount of air a person can exhale after a maximum inhalation, which does not pertain to the volume remaining after exhalation. Tidal volume is the volume of air inhaled or exhaled during normal breathing, focusing on the dynamic aspects of breathing rather than the residual air post-exhalation. Expiratory reserve volume is the additional amount of air that can be forcibly exhaled after the end of a normal expiration. This value still does not capture the air that remains after full exhalation, which is designated as residual volume. Thus, the correct identification of the remainder of air in the lungs after exhalation is residual volume.