peristalsis

American  

[per-uh-stawl-sis, -stal-] / ˌpɛr əˈstɔl sɪs, -ˈstæl- /

noun

Physiology.

plural

peristalses

1. the progressive wave of contraction and relaxation of a tubular muscular system, especially the alimentary canal, by which the contents are forced through the system.

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peristalsis British  

/ ˌpɛrɪˈstælsɪs /

noun

1. physiol the succession of waves of involuntary muscular contraction of various bodily tubes, esp of the alimentary tract, where it effects transport of food and waste products

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peristalsis Scientific  

/ pĕr′ĭ-stôl′sĭs /

1. The wavelike muscular contractions in tubular structures, especially organs of the digestive system such as the esophagus and the intestines. Peristalsis is characterized by alternate contraction and relaxation, which pushes ingested food through the digestive tract towards its release at the anus. Worms propel themselves through peristaltic movement.

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peristalsis Cultural  

1. The wavelike, involuntary muscular contractions that move food through the digestive system.

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Other Word Forms

• hyperperistalsis noun
• peristaltic adjective
• peristaltically adverb

Etymology

Origin of peristalsis

1855–60; < New Latin < Greek peri- peri- + stálsis contraction, equivalent to stal- (variant stem of stéllein to set, bring together, compress) + -sis -sis

Explanation

Peristalsis is when certain muscles in the body automatically contract and relax. Humans undergo peristalsis when they digest food. Many different animals use peristalsis, mostly in the process of digestion, as food and liquid is pushed forward through their intestines. Earthworms use peristalsis to move across or through the ground. Peristalsis is most often used in the context of biology classes or medical terminology, and the word is Modern Latin. The Greek root is peristaltikos, "contracting around," which combines peri, "around," and stalsis, "checking or constriction."

Example Sentences

Neural responses facilitate secretion of fumarase needed for chemical digestion of food as well as other involuntary responses like peristalsis.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Columnar epithelial cells help in the propulsion of food by peristalsis in the digestive tract of the body.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Undigested food is moved through the colon, where intestinal flora aid in digestion by peristalsis, and then stored in the rectum until elimination through the anus.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

The peristalsis wave is unidirectional—it moves food from the mouth to the stomach, and reverse movement is not possible.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

These are not parties at all but acts and demonstrations, about as spontaneous as peristalsis and as interesting as its end product.

From "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck