peristalsis
[per-uh-stawl-sis, -stal-]
- 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.
Show More
Origin of peristalsis
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for peristalsis
Historical Examples of peristalsis
Otherwise, the peristalsis it awakens may only aggravate the danger.
It is on this roughage or waste material that intestinal movement or peristalsis depends.
Health Through Will PowerJames J. Walsh
If, however, cold increases pain and peristalsis, it should be abandoned.
In this stage the peristalsis of the gullet is sufficient to force the food through the cardia.
For is it not indicative of peristalsis that always when the upper parts of the gullet contract the lower parts dilate?
peristalsis
- 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
Show More
Word Origin for peristalsis
C19: from New Latin, from peri- + Greek stalsis compression, from stellein to press together
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for peristalsis
1859, Modern Latin peristalsis; see peristaltic.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
peristalsis
(pĕr′ĭ-stôl′sĭs, -stăl′-)- The wavelike muscular contractions of the intestine or other tubular structure that propel the contents onward by alternate contraction and relaxation.vermicular movement
Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
peristalsis
[pĕr′ĭ-stôl′sĭs]
- 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.
Show More
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
peristalsis
[(per-uh-stawl-sis, per-uh-stal-sis)]
The wavelike, involuntary muscular contractions that move food through the digestive system.
Show More
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.