noun
peristalsis
pe-ri-STAL-sis
Peristalsis (noun) means the wave-like squeezing of muscles in the walls of a tube-shaped organ, especially the gut, that pushes its contents steadily along. Example: “Peristalsis moves food from the throat to the stomach even if you are upside down.”
noun
1
medical The wave-like squeezing of muscles in the walls of a tube-shaped organ, especially the gut, that pushes its contents steadily along.
"Peristalsis moves food from the throat to the stomach even if you are upside down."
"Certain drugs slow peristalsis and cause constipation."
How to use peristalsis
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe rippling muscle movement that pushes food through your gut.
When to use it
Medical and biological; the adjective is 'peristaltic'.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
reverse peristalsis
slow peristalsis
peristaltic wave
peristaltic pump
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_____ moves food from the throat to the stomach even if you are upside down.
Etymology
From Greek peristaltikos, from peristellein 'to wrap around', from peri- 'around' and stellein 'to place, send'.
Synonyms
View more →
vermiculation
Antonyms
anastalsis
Frequently asked questions
Where does peristalsis happen in the body?
Mainly in the oesophagus, stomach and intestines, but the same wave motion also moves urine down the ureters and eggs along the fallopian tubes.
What is the difference between peristalsis and segmentation?
Peristalsis is a directional wave that transports contents forward. Segmentation is a back-and-forth churning in the small intestine that mixes food with digestive juices without moving it along much.
Can you control peristalsis?
No. It is driven by smooth muscle under involuntary nervous control, which is why swallowing continues automatically once you have started it.
What is the meaning of peristalsis?
"peristalsis" (noun) means the wave-like squeezing of muscles in the walls of a tube-shaped organ, especially the gut, that pushes its contents steadily along.
