Peristalsis is the process of involuntary wave-like successive muscular contractions by which food is moved through the digestive tract. The large, hollow organs of the digestive system contains muscles that enable their walls to move. The movement of organ walls can propel food and liquid and also can mix the contents within each organ. Typical movement of the esophagus, stomach, and intestine is called peristalsis. The action of peristalsis looks like an ocean wave moving through the muscle. The muscle of the organ produces a narrow ...

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Peristalsis: Rhythmic contraction of smooth muscle that forces food through the digestive tract

(See also: Peristalsis, Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Dictionary, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

A calyx is a part in the kidney. Calyces surround the appex of the malpighian pyramids. Urine formed in the kidney passes through a papilla at the apex into a minor calyx then into major calyx before passing through the pelvis into the ureter. Peristalsis of the smooth muscle originating in pace-maker cells originating in the walls of the calyses propels urine through the pelvis and ureters to the bladder. Other related archivesPeristalsis, Urine, kidney, ureter

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Achalasia or acalasia is a failure of a ring of muscle (as a sphincter) to relax (completely). It refers most commonly to esophageal achalasia, which is a neuromuscular disorder of the esophagus characterized by the reduced ability to move food down the esophagus (peristalsis). In addition, the inability of the cardia ( also called lower esophageal sphincter)- to relax in response to swall ...

Including:

• Achalasia - Signs and symptoms
• Achalasia - Diagnosis
• Achalasia - Complications
• Achalasia - Treatment and new expectations

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In human anatomy, the ureters are the ducts that carry urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. The ureters are muscular tubes that can propel urine along by the motions of peristalsis. In the adult, the ureters are usually 25 to 35cm long. In humans, the ureters enter the bladder posteriorly, running within the wall of the bladder for a few centimetres. There are no valves in the ureters, backflow being prevented by pressure from the filling of the bladder, as well a ...

Including:

• Ureter - Histology
• Ureter - Diseases and disorders

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Defecation or feceation, in physiology, is the act or process by which organisms eliminate solid or semisolid waste material from the digestive tract. Humans remove waste anywhere from several times daily to a few times weekly; sloths can go for a week or more without eliminating. Waves of muscular contraction known as peristalsis in the walls of the colon move fecal matter through the digestive tract towards the rectum. Undigested food may also be expelled ...

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In anatomy of the digestive system, the ileum (not to be confused with the ilium, a pelvic bone), is the final section of the small intestine. It is about 4m long in humans, follows the jejunum and duodenum, and is separated from the cecum by the ileocecal valve (ICV). The pH in the ileum is usually between 7 and 8 (neutral or slightly alkaline). Its function is to absorb vitamin B12 and bile salts. The wall itself made up of folds, each of which has many tiny finger-like projections known as villi, on its surface. I ...

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The vagus nerve is tenth of twelve paired cranial nerves, and is the only nerve that starts in the brainstem (somewhere in the medulla oblongata) and extends, through the jugular foramen, all the way down past the head, right down to the abdomen. The vagus nerve is arguably the single most important nerve in the body. The medieval Latin word vagus means literally "wandering" (the words vagrant, vagabond, and vague come from the same root). It is also called the pneumogastric nerve ...

Including:

• Vagus nerve - The vagus nerve and the heart
• Vagus nerve - VNS therapy

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The gastrointestinal or digestive tract, also referred to as the GI tract or the alimentary canal or the gut, is the system of organs within multicellular animals which takes in food, digests it to extract energy and nutrients, and expels the remaining waste. The GI tract differs substantially from animal to animal. For instance, some animals have multi-chambered stomachs. Gastrointestinal tract - Basic anatomy. Gastrointestinal tract - The gut. < ...

Including:

• Gastrointestinal tract - Basic anatomy
• Gastrointestinal tract - The gut
• Gastrointestinal tract - Related organs
• Gastrointestinal tract - Physiology
• Gastrointestinal tract - Digestion and excretion
• Gastrointestinal tract - Specialization of organs
• Gastrointestinal tract - Immune function
• Gastrointestinal tract - Uses of gut

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The blood vessels are part of the circulatory system and function to transport blood throughout the body. The most important types, arteries and veins, are so termed because they carry blood away from or towards the heart, respectively. Blood vessel - Types. Blood vessels exist in varying calibers: Arteries Aorta (the largest artery, carries blood out of the heart) Branches of the aorta, such as the carotid artery, the subclavian artery, the celiac trunk, the mesenteric arteri ...

Including:

• Blood vessel - Types
• Blood vessel - Anatomy
• Blood vessel - Physiology
• Blood vessel - Role in disease

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A pump is a mechanical device used to move liquids or gases. A pump moves liquids or gases from a lower pressure to a higher pressure and is responsible for this difference in pressure. The earliest pump was described by Archimedes in the 3rd century BC and is known as the Archimedes screw pump. Pumps work by using mechanical forces to push the material, either by physically lifting, or by the force of compression. Pump - Types. Pumps fall into two categories: positive displacement pump ...

Including:

• Pump - Types
• Pump - Positive displacement pump
• Pump - Dynamic pump
• Pump - Jet Pumps

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A laxative is a preparation used for encouraging defecation, or the elimination of feces. Laxatives are most often taken to treat constipation. Certain stimulant, lubricant, and saline laxatives are used to evacuate the colon for rectal and bowel examinations. They are sometimes supplemented by enemas. Laxatives are often abused by bulimics or anorexics. Laxative abuse is a problem that is potentially very serious since it can lead to problems such as intestinal paralysis, Irritable Bowel ...

Including:

• Laxative - Bulk-producing agents
• Laxative - Stool softeners / Surfactants
• Laxative - Lubricants / Emollient
• Laxative - Hydrating agents osmotics
• Laxative - Saline
• Laxative - Hyperosmotic agents
• Laxative - Stimulant / Irritant
• Laxative - Miscellaneous
• Laxative - Castor Oil

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Muscle is a contractile form of tissue. It is one of the four major tissue types, the other three being epithelium, connective tissue and nervous tissue. Muscle contraction is used to move parts of the body, as well as to move substances within the body. Muscle - Types. There are three general types of muscle: Cardiac muscle is a specialized kind of muscle found only within the heart. It cannot get tired and is "involuntary". Skeletal muscle or "voluntary muscle" is anchored by tendons ...

Including:

• Muscle - Types
• Muscle - Anatomy
• Muscle - Physiology
• Muscle - Nervous control
• Muscle - Efferent leg
• Muscle - Afferent leg
• Muscle - Role in health and disease
• Muscle - Exercise
• Muscle - Disease
• Muscle - The strongest human muscle
• Muscle - Efficiency
• Muscle - Muscle evolution

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The kidneys are bean-shaped excretory organs in vertebrates. Part of the urinary system, the kidneys filter wastes (especially urea) from the blood and excrete them, along with water, as urine. The medical field that studies the kidneys and diseases affecting the kidney is called nephrology, from the Greek name for the kidney; the adjective meaning "kidney-related" is renal, from the Latin. Kidney - Location. In humans, the kidneys are located in the posterior part of the abdomen. There is one on eac ...

Including:

• Kidney - Location
• Kidney - Structure
• Kidney - Organization
• Kidney - Nephron
• Kidney - Collecting duct system
• Kidney - Functions
• Kidney - Excretion of waste products
• Kidney - Homeostasis
• Kidney - Hormone secretion
• Kidney - Terms
• Kidney - Diseases and disorders
• Kidney - Congenital
• Kidney - Acquired
• Kidney - Dialysis and kidney transplants
• Kidney - Medical terminology

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The autonomic nervous system is the part of the nervous system of the higher life forms that is not consciously controlled. It is commonly divided into two usually antagonistic subsystems: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system controls such vital functions as heart rate, dilation of the bronchioles and dilation and constriction of the pupil; the digestive tract is controlled almost completely by autonomic mechanisms. Autonomic nervous system - Nomenclature. ...

Including:

• Autonomic nervous system - Nomenclature
• Autonomic nervous system - Function
• Autonomic nervous system - Individual components
• Autonomic nervous system - The Cranial Sympathetics
• Autonomic nervous system - Connections with the Spinal Nerves
• Autonomic nervous system - Development

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Blood vessels do not actively engage in the transport of the blood (they have no appreciable peristalsis), but arteries - and veins to a degree - can regulate their caliber by contraction of the muscular layer. This determines the blood flow to particular downstream organs, and is determined by the autonomic nervous system. Vasodilation and vasoconstriction are also used antagonistically as a method of thermoregulation in homeotherms. Oxygen (bound to hemoglobin in red blood cells) is the most critical nutrient carried by the blood. I ...

See also:

Blood vessel, Blood vessel - Types, Blood vessel - Anatomy, Blood vessel - Physiology, Blood vessel - Role in disease

Read more here: » Blood vessel: Encyclopedia II - Blood vessel - Physiology

The noises commonly associated with flatulence are caused by the vibration of the anal opening. The sound varies depending on the tightness of the sphincter muscle and velocity of the gas being propelled, as well as other factors such as moisture and body fat. Flatus is brought to the anus in the same peristalsis method as feces, causing a similar feeling of urgency and discomfort. Nerve endings in the rectum learn to distinguish between flatus and feces, although loose stool can confuse these nerves, and sometimes slips o ...

See also:

Flatulence, Flatulence - Amount and constituents, Flatulence - Causes, Flatulence - Mechanism of action, Flatulence - Remedies, Flatulence - Dietary, Flatulence - Pharmacological, Flatulence - Cosmetic, Flatulence - Health effects, Flatulence - In animals, Flatulence - Environmental impact, Flatulence - Social context, Flatulence - Literature and the arts, Flatulence - Curiosities

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The noises commonly associated with flatulence are caused by the vibration of the anal opening. The sound varies depending on the tightness of the sphincter muscle and velocity of the gas being propelled, as well as other factors such as moisture and body fat. Flatus is brought to the anus in the same peristalsis method as feces, causing a similar feeling of urgency and discomfort. Nerve endings in the rectum learn to distinguish between flatus and feces, although loose stool can confuse these nerve ...

See also:

Flatulence, Flatulence - Amount and constituents, Flatulence - Causes, Flatulence - Mechanism of action, Flatulence - Remedies, Flatulence - Dietary, Flatulence - Pharmacological, Flatulence - Cosmetic, Flatulence - Health effects, Flatulence - In animals, Flatulence - Environmental impact, Flatulence - Social context, Flatulence - Literature and the arts, Flatulence - Curiosities

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In the small intestine, proteins are changed into amino acids; fats are changed into fatty acids; and carbohydrates are changed into sugars. The small intestine is also where most of the nutrients from ingested food are absorbed. (From Encyclopædia Britannica School Edition) The largest amount of water from the chylus (the substance that comes from the stomach) is absorbed in the small intestine ...

See also:

Small intestine, Small intestine - Functions, Small intestine - Small Intestine Disorders

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