How Do You Spell ANTIPERISTALSIS?

Pronunciation: [ˌantɪpˌɛɹɪstˈalsɪs] (IPA)

The word "antiperistalsis" consists of six syllables and is pronounced as æntɪpərɪˈstælsɪs. This term refers to a physiological process in which the digestive tract contracts in an opposite direction to its normal movement. When someone suffers from nausea or vomiting, antiperistalsis occurs to push stomach contents back up. The word is derived from two Greek words: anti, meaning "against" or "opposing," and peristalsis, which refers to the rhythmic contractions that move food through the digestive system.

ANTIPERISTALSIS Meaning and Definition

1. Antiperistalsis refers to the involuntary backward movement or reversal of the normal series of rhythmic contractions (peristalsis) that propel food through the digestive tract. It commonly occurs in the esophagus or stomach and can lead to regurgitation or vomiting.

   During normal digestion, peristalsis involves coordinated and sequential contractions of smooth muscles that propel ingested substances forward through the digestive system. However, antiperistalsis occurs when these smooth muscles contract in the opposite direction.

   Antiperistalsis is often associated with certain medical conditions, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or rumination syndrome. In the case of GERD, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) fails to close properly, allowing stomach acid and partially digested food to flow back into the esophagus, triggering antiperistalsis and resulting in regurgitation or heartburn.

   In rumination syndrome, a rare disorder characterized by repeated regurgitation, the act of bringing up the stomach contents into the mouth is a deliberate action. The regurgitated material is then often re-chewed or swallowed. This condition is believed to involve abnormal relaxation of the upper esophageal sphincter and subsequent antiperistalsis.

   Antiperistalsis can also be induced as a side effect of certain medications or during surgical procedures involving the gastrointestinal tract. In these cases, the reversal of peristaltic movement is an undesired outcome and may require medical intervention to restore normal digestive function.

2. Reversed peristalsis; contrary intestinal contractions forcing the contents upward.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for ANTIPERISTALSIS

• zntiperistalsis
• sntiperistalsis
• wntiperistalsis
• qntiperistalsis
• abtiperistalsis
• amtiperistalsis
• ajtiperistalsis
• ahtiperistalsis
• anriperistalsis
• anfiperistalsis
• angiperistalsis
• anyiperistalsis
• an6iperistalsis
• an5iperistalsis
• antuperistalsis
• antjperistalsis
• antkperistalsis
• antoperistalsis
• ant9peristalsis
• ant8peristalsis

Etymology of ANTIPERISTALSIS

The word "antiperistalsis" is derived from the combination of two Greek words: "anti" meaning "against" or "opposite", and "peristalsis" which refers to the rhythmic contractions and relaxations of smooth muscles that propel contents through the digestive tract.

Therefore, "antiperistalsis" literally means "against peristalsis" or opposite movement to the normal wave-like contractions of the digestive system. This term is often used in the medical field to describe the backward movement of stomach contents, such as vomiting or regurgitation.

Plural form of ANTIPERISTALSIS is ANTIPERISTALSES