Peristaltica

Peristaltica refers to the peristaltic movement, the coordinated, sequential contraction of smooth muscle in tubular organs that propels contents along a lumen. The term is used in several languages to describe this physiological process and, in some contexts, to designate devices that imitate it in engineering.

In the body, peristaltic contractions occur as waves that travel along the wall of a tract. Circular muscle behind a bolus contracts while the muscle ahead relaxes, creating a pushing effect, often accompanied by coordinated changes in longitudinal muscle. The activity is regulated by the enteric nervous system, supported by interstitial cells of Cajal that act as pacemakers, and modulated by autonomic input and local reflexes. Slow waves establish a rhythmic baseline, and excitatory signals raise the likelihood and strength of contractions.

Peristaltica occurs in many tubular systems, including the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, as well as ducts such as the ureters and fallopian tubes, where it serves to move fluids or contents rather than to elicit digestion alone. In the gastrointestinal tract, peristalsis is essential for transit and coordinated mixing of contents, with variations such as primary and secondary peristalsis and segmentation patterns that favor mixing over propulsion.

Disorders of peristaltic function can impair transit and cause symptoms like dysphagia, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, or obstruction. Diagnostic approaches include manometry, imaging, and endoscopy to assess motility. In engineering, peristaltic mechanisms are replicated in peristaltic pumps, which compress flexible tubing with rollers to move fluids, offering sterile, contact-free transport for medical and laboratory applications.