Definition

The process of wavelike muscle contractions that move food and other substances through the digestive system or other tubular structures.

Example

Peristalsis is essential for moving food from the esophagus to the stomach.

Conversation

I learned something cool in biology class today.

Oh really? What was it about?

It was about peristalsis and how our bodies move food through the digestive system.

That's interesting! I didn't know there was a name for that process.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Peristalsis → It is formed from "peri-" (meaning around) and "stalsis" (from the Greek "stallein", meaning to send or to constrict). The word describes the wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract, occurring around the tube of the intestines.

Memory Tip

Think of the muscles 'constricting' ('stalsis') 'around' ('peri-') the digestive tract to move food along — that's what peristalsis means.

Visually Confused Words