Question

What are the wavelike contractions of smooth muscle that move food down the esophagus called

Answer 1

When you swallow food, it doesn't just drop down into your stomach. Muscles contract in a wave-like motion to move the food along through the esophagus. This muscle movement is called, peristalsis, or peristaltic waves. These peristaltic waves contract behind the food bolus pushing it along the digestive tract.