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The peristaltic movement also called Peristalsis refers to the shortening and resting of food in the esophagus and the digestive tract and food being forced down the track to the stomach. This movement is not voluntary and is necessary for the movement of food down the stomach and intestines down the anus.
The peristaltic movement starts from the esophagus where food is completely swallowed involving the rotating action of the longitudinal and most circular muscles in the digestive tract and sometimes in the empty tubes present in continuous contractions such as continuous waves.
Peristalsis occurs in the esophagus, intestines, and abdomen, and the waves can be long, short, continuous, or continuous moving between the full length of the limbs, supporting their position.
Peristalsis in the digestive system
Peristalsis in the digestive system occurs in four organs. These are the esophagus, the stomach, and the small and large intestines. Below is a summary of how the whole process is performed in each organ.
Esophageal Peristalsis
Peristaltic waves in this organ begin at the upper part of the esophagus and pass to full length before injecting food particles into the abdomen. If there are food particles left in the pipe then the second wave takes care of that. The whole process is described as esophageal peristalsis. One wave travels the entire length of the esophagus and disappears when the abdomen is full. Many of the fats found in food particles also play a role in stopping movement until they are dissolved or diluted in the gastric juice.
It should be noted that in mammals such as giraffes, camels, and cattle, reverse peristalsis occurs when food is returned to the mouth for chewing.
Peristalsis in the abdomen
After esophageal peristalsis, the abdomen receives a food ball called a bolus. With abdominal peristalsis, the abdominal muscles compress and break the bolus even further followed by a certain degree of hydrolysis of food particles. It is noteworthy that the peristaltic waves begin as a weak contraction at the beginning of the abdomen and intensify in distant areas.
This hydrolysis of food particles is aided by pepsin which is an enzyme. After hydrolysis, all food particles break down slowly and are known as chyme. The chyme or lightly digested food will remain in the stomach for a while until the peristaltic movement pushes it into the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine for further processing. Our stomach plays a big role in storing food and we can store 4 liters of food at a time. That is why less digested food stays in the stomach for less time.
Intestinal Peristalsis
Intestinal peristalsis occurs in two places
- Small intestine: When the chyme reaches the small intestine, a single peristaltic movement takes a few seconds and travels a few inches per second. The main purpose of the peristaltic movement of the small intestine is to continue digestion and absorption of nutrients. Once that is done, the chyme enters the small intestine into the large intestine.
- Large intestine: The peristaltic movement in the large intestine is similar to that of the small intestine. A common defect called bulk movement occurs once or three times a day in order to keep the feces now in the feces or body contaminants towards the rectum for excretion from the body. This shortening is often caused by food as the presence of chyme in the stomach and duodenum stimulates them.
Flexible Peristalsis
Retractable peristalsis can be defined as a bowel movement that occurs on the other side of the normal wave when the contents of the tube hit the backward path. It usually occurs as a precursor to cleansing. Food poisoning or stomach upset makes a smiling brain center showing this type of intestinal congestion and food travels from the duodenum to the stomach. Reverse peristalsis is also known as retro peristalsis.
Peristalsis function
A peristalsis is an event that brings the flow of food and fluid particles through muscle contraction to many organs of the digestive system. These organs are the throat, stomach and large and small intestines.
- Esophagus: Peristalsis pushes food down the throat and stomach.
- Stomach: In the stomach, this process helps to retain food and break down food particles and mix with gastric juice from the digestive tract. It also helps with the slow digestion of food called chyme.
- Small Intestines: Peristalsis pushes down digested food through the small intestine and aids in the digestive process. It also helps absorb the nutrients from the digestive tract into the bloodstream.
- Large Intestines: In the large intestine, these steps move body waste near the organ through the colon and rectum to be excreted from the body.
Peristalsis can be defined as a series of spontaneous longitudinal and circular muscle movements involved in the movement of food and other fluid particles in the digestive tract in the various processing organs found in the digestive system.
Movement occurs with continuous wave-like contractions and occurs in the nerves, stomach, and intestines. It can be short, local reflexes, or long, continuous briefs that run the length of the limb. The nature of the wave depends on the location of the organs and what causes their action.
FAQ’s
Q. What are Gastric Juices?
Ans: Stomach juices are extracted from the various gastrointestinal tracts and are made up of electrolytes, water, hydrochloric acid, enzymes, mucus, and internal components. These juices dissolve food or a bolus that is secreted from the stomach.
Gastrointestinal glands are the heart glands found in the upper abdomen, the oxyntic glands in the abdominal cavity, and the pyloric gland in the lower abdomen.
Each gland contains unique cells that produce various components of gastric juice. These are cells
- Neck cells: They produce mucus and bicarbonate.
- Parietal Cells: Producing hydrochloric acid
- Key Cells: They produce several hormones that are responsible for producing enteroendocrine cells
Stomach juices aid in digestion and the absorption of Iron. HCL plays a key role in eliminating harmful bacteria that enter food.
How Does Peristalsis Happen in the Urinary Tract?
Along with the movement of the food through the esophagus, stomach, and large and small intestines, peristalsis also aids in the flow of urine into the urinary tract. Two urinary tract tubes force the fluid from the kidneys to the bladder and are then excreted through the urethra as urine.
