PERISTALSIS (peristalses)

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

Irregular inflected form: peristalses   

 Dictionary entry overview: What does peristalsis mean? 

• PERISTALSIS (noun)
  The noun PERISTALSIS has 1 sense:

1. the process of wavelike muscle contractions of the alimentary tract that moves food along

  Familiarity information: PERISTALSIS used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PERISTALSIS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The process of wavelike muscle contractions of the alimentary tract that moves food along

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural processes

Synonyms:

peristalsis; vermiculation

Hypernyms ("peristalsis" is a kind of...):

activity; bodily function; bodily process; body process (an organic process that takes place in the body)

Antonym:

anastalsis (muscular action of the alimentary tract in a direction opposite to peristalsis)

 Context examples 

The portion of the intestinal covering that contracts causing peristalsis.

(Large Intestinal Muscular Coat, NCI Thesaurus)

It speeds gastrointestinal peristalsis, causes prolactin release, and is used as antiemetic and tool in the study of dopaminergic mechanisms.

(Domperidone, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

This may result in a suppression of gastric peristalsis and may be beneficial during upper GI endoscopic procedures.

(L-menthol Preparation NPO-11, NCI Thesaurus)

This increases volume, increases peristalsis, stimulates evacuation, and relieves constipation.

(Glycerin Enema, NCI Thesaurus)

This results in flaccid paralysis of worm musculature allowing the worm to become dislodged by peristalsis and expelled from the body.

(Piperazine Citrate, NCI Thesaurus)

Metoclopramide binds to dopamine 2 (D2) receptors in the peripheral nervous system (PNS), antagonizing dopamine-mediated relaxation of gastrointestinal smooth muscle and promoting gastroprokinesis; the pyloric sphincter and the duodenal bulb are relaxed, peristalsis of the duodenum and jejunum increase, and gastric emptying and intestinal transit accelerate.

(Metoclopramide Hydrochloride, NCI Thesaurus)