First Known Use: 1859
Dictionary
peristalsis
noun peri·stal·sis \ˌper-ə-ˈstȯl-səs, -ˈstäl-, -ˈstal-\
plural peri·stal·ses\-ˌsēz\
Definition of PERISTALSIS
: successive waves of involuntary contraction passing along the walls of a hollow muscular structure (as the esophagus or intestine) and forcing the contents onward
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Origin of PERISTALSIS
New Latin, from Greek peristaltikos peristaltic
Medical Dictionary
peristalsis
noun peri·stal·sis \ˌper-ə-ˈstȯl-səs, -ˈstäl-, -ˈstal-\
plural peri·stal·ses \-ˌsēz\
Medical Definition of PERISTALSIS
: successive waves of involuntary contraction passing along the walls of a hollow muscular structure (as the esophagus or intestine) and forcing the contents onward—compare segmentation 2
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