respiratory tract

noun

plural respiratory tracts

: a system of organs functioning in respiration and in humans consisting especially of the nose, nasal passages, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs : respiratory system see lower respiratory tract, upper respiratory tract

Examples of respiratory tract in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Measles first infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes and a rash. —Devi Shastri, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025

The alkaloid, called atropine, is administered to increase heart rate, reduce saliva and fluid in the respiratory tract during surgery, and treat insecticide or mushroom poisoning. —Nina Foster, JSTOR Daily, 30 May 2025

Measles infects the respiratory tract before spreading throughout the body, according to the World Health Organization. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025

He was later diagnosed with a complex bacterial, viral and fungal respiratory tract infection. —Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for respiratory tract

• abstract
• attacked
• attract
• contact
• contract
• detract
• distract
• enact
• exact
• extract
• hijacked
• impact

Medical Definition

respiratory tract

noun

: a system of organs functioning in respiration and in humans consisting especially of the nose, nasal passages, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs : respiratory system see lower respiratory tract, upper respiratory tract