Question

What is peristaltic movement and how does it function in the esophagus?

Answer 1

Peristaltic movement is a type of muscle contraction and it functions in the esophagus by helping push food to it. Peristalsis, involuntary movements of the longitudinal and circular muscles, primarily in the digestive tract but occasionally in other hollow tubes of the body, that occur in progressive wavelike contractions.

Answer 2

Peristaltic movement is the constriction and relaxation of longitudinal muscles in the gastrointestinal tract in the esophagus, stomach, and the small intestines. It occurs in a wavelike constriction resulting to a process called peristalsis. In the esophagus the movement helps push food in form of bolus (small rounded mass of food) to it.