peristalsis
noun
- A wavelike sequence of muscular contraction and relaxation that passes along a tubelike structure, such as a vertebrate intestine, or the body of an earthworm
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˌpɛɹɪˈstalsɪs/ / /ˌpɛɹɪˈstælsɪs/ / /ˌpɛɹɪˈstɑlsɪs/
noun
Etymology: From Ancient Greek δύναμις περισταλτική (dúnamis peristaltikḗ, “the action of the bowels by which their contents are propelled”), from περιστέλλω (peristéllō, “to wrap around”), from περι- (peri-, “around”) + στέλλω (stéllō, “to make ready, to prepare”).
- The rhythmic, wave-like contraction and relaxation of muscles so as to propagate motion, as of food in the digestive tract.