peristalsis

(noun)

the rhythmic, wave-like contraction and relaxation of muscles which propagates in a wave down a muscular tube

Related Terms

Examples of peristalsis in the following topics:

  • Digestive System: Mouth and Stomach

    • The smooth muscles of the esophagus undergo a series of wave like movements called peristalsis that push the food toward the stomach .
    • The peristalsis wave is unidirectional: it moves food from the mouth to the stomach; reverse movement is not possible.

  • Types of Skeletal Systems

    • For example, earthworms move by waves of muscular contractions (peristalsis) of the skeletal muscle of the body wall hydrostatic skeleton, which alternately shorten and lengthen the body.

  • Structure and Function of the Muscular System

    • It plays an important role in the regulation of flow in such systems, such as aiding the movement of food through the digestive system via peristalsis.

  • Vertebrate Digestive Systems

    • Using peristalsis, the muscles of the esophagus push the food towards the stomach.