peristalsis

2 definitions found

peristalsis - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Peristalsis \Per`i*stal"sis\, n. [NL. See Peristaltic.]
     (Physiol.)
     Peristaltic contraction or action.
     [1913 Webster]

peristalsis - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  peristalsis
      n 1: the process of wavelike muscle contractions of the
           alimentary tract that moves food along [syn: peristalsis,
           vermiculation] [ant: anastalsis]