Peristalsis is spontaneous or reflexive movements of the longitudinal and circular muscles, that happens in progressive wavelike contractions, fundamentally in the digestive tract but some times it also occurs in other hollow tubes of the body.In the human body esophagus, stomach, and intestines are the main parts in which peristaltic waves arise. These waves can be momentary, local reflexes or prolonged, consecutive contractions that are transmitted to the whole length of the organ, relying upon their location and what beginstheir action.Peristalsis has its importance in movement of food in digestive system, passing of urine from kidneys to bladder, bile passing from gallbladder to duodenum etc. The phenomenon of peristalsis is also feasible …show more content…
The process of peristalsis starts in the oesophagus when a bolus of food is gulp down. The food is brought to the stomach by the strong wave-like motions of the smooth muscle in the oesophagus, where it is churned into a liquid compositioncalled chyme. The process of peristalsis proceeds in the small intestine where it blends the chyme byits to and fro motion and here nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream through the small intestine walls. Peristalsis ended in the large intestine where water is absorbed into the bloodstreamfrom the undigested food constituent. Finally, the residual waste products are expelled from the body through the rectum and anus.
Abnormal peristaltic movement can be an element in irritable bowl syndrome, diarrhea, constipation, and other intestinal problems. It is believed that the ingestion of green leafy vegetables, including lettuce are helpful in aiding the abnormal peristaltic