peristalsis

English

WOTD – 5 October 2010

Etymology

From Ancient Greek περισταλτική (peristaltikḗ) δύναμις (dúnamis, peristaltic action of the bowels, by which their contents are propelled), from περιστέλλω (peristéllō, wrap around), from περί (perí, around) + στέλλω (stéllō, I place).

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˌpɛɹɪˈstalsɪs/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˌpɛɹɪˈstælsɪs/, /ˌpɛɹɪˈstɑlsɪs/
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Noun

peristalsis (countable and uncountable, plural peristalses)

  1. (medicine) The rhythmic, wave-like contraction and relaxation of muscles so as to propagate motion, as of food in the digestive tract.

Synonyms

Derived terms

Translations


Spanish

Noun

peristalsis f (plural peristalsis)

  1. peristalsis
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