noun
definition
The rhythmic, wave-like contraction and relaxation of muscles so as to propagate motion, as of food in the digestive tract.
Examples of peristalsis in a Sentence
Sometimes there is too little peristalsis, which can slow the passage of undigested material through the colon and cause constipation.
These products increase fecal volume in order to stimulate peristalsis.
This in turn increases peristalsis and stool weight and reduces the transit time of the stool in through the bowel.
The food is moved along the small intestine by rhythmic movement of muscles called peristalsis.
Many animals appear to drink, but although laryngeal movements are observed, they may not be followed by oesophageal peristalsis.
Peristalsis helps absorption by bringing the undigested material into contact with the colon wall.
In IBS, however, the normal rhythm and intensity of peristalsis is disrupted.
In other cases, peristalsis can be spasmodic, causing sudden strong muscle contractions that come and go.
Certain foods and drinks may disrupt peristalsis in IBS patients, which may explain why IBS attacks often occur shortly after meals.
Activation of the autonomic nervous system also delays gastric emptying and reduces intestinal peristalsis.
Transverse motility set showing peristalsis in the small bowel.
Herbal laxatives such as aloes, cascara sagrada, rhubarb root, and senna are addictive and destructive to normal peristalsis.
Increased feedings can increase peristalsis and meconium passage, decreasing bilirubin resorption into circulation.
Muscle contractions in the colon (peristalsis) push the stool toward the rectum.
Dietary fiber-Mostly indigestible material in food that stimulates the intestine to peristalsis.
Motility disorders such as Hirschsprung's disease and psuedo-obstruction may cause blockages by retarding peristalsis, the intestinal muscle contractions that move food and waste.
Ileus-An obstruction of the intestines usually caused by the absence of peristalsis.
By contrast, non-mechanical obstruction, called ileus, occurs because the rhythmic contractions that move material through the bowel (called peristalsis) stop.
Handling the bowel during abdominal surgery can also cause peristalsis to stop, so people who have had abdominal surgery are more likely to experience ileus.
Normally, the colon is quiet during most of that period except after meals, when its muscles contract in a series of wavelike movements called peristalsis.
If the case is not a medical emergency, homeopaths and practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine can recommend therapies that may help to reinstate peristalsis.
Internally strychnine acts as a bitter, increasing the secretion of gastric juice and the intestinal peristalsis, being a direct stimulant to the muscular coat; in this manner it has a purgative action.
These are paralysed by atropine, and intestinal peristalsis is consequently made more active, the muscles being released from nervous control.
It has in addition a markedly depressing action upon the respiratory centre, it lessens all the secretions except the sweat, and diminishes bowel peristalsis and the size of the pupil.
The large number of vegetable substances used as purgatives owe their action to an irritating effect upon the mucous membrane and the neuro-muscular apparatus of the bowel, whereby the secretions and peristalsis are more or less increased, as the result of which diarrhoea ensues.