peristalsis: Meaning and Definition of

per•i•stal•sis

Pronunciation: (per"u-stôl'sis, -stal'-), [key]
— pl. -ses
  1. the progressive wave of contraction and relaxation of a tubular muscular system, esp. the alimentary canal, by which the contents are forced through the system.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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