Dictionary of Biological Psychology
Peristalsis is a form of movement of material in tubes produced by rhythmic contraction.
It is used most commonly to describe the movement of material through the GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM, where rhythmic contractions of SMOOTH MUSCLE forming the walls of the gut force material along. The term can be more generally applied: a peristaltic pump for example is one that operates by rhythmically squeezing tubing to force fluid through.
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