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

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 notes

In 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

peristalsis → paralysis → peritonitis

Common pairings

reverse peristalsis slow peristalsis peristaltic wave peristaltic pump

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “peristalsis” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ 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'.

Origin: Greek

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.