dictionary help| vermicular movement --> peristalsis | medical dictionary |
<gastroenterology, physiology> The wormlike movement by which the alimentary canal or other tubular organs provided with both longitudinal and circular muscle fibres propel their contents. It consists of a wave of contraction passing along the tube for variable distances.
Origin: Gr. Stalsis = contraction
(11 Mar 2008)
perissad, perissodactyl, perissodactyla, perissology < Prev | Next > peristaltic, peristasis, peristatic hyperaemia
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