Retroperistalsis vs. Peristalsis — What's the Difference?

Retroperistalsis is the reverse of the involuntary smooth muscle contractions of peristalsis. It usually occurs as a precursor to vomiting.

Peristalsis is a radially symmetrical contraction and relaxation (which is expansion) of muscles that propagates in a wave down a tube, in an anterograde direction. Peristalsis is progression of coordinated contraction of involuntary circular muscles, which is preceded by a simultaneous contraction of the longitudinal muscle and relaxation of the circular muscle in the lining of the gut.In much of a digestive tract such as the human gastrointestinal tract, smooth muscle tissue contracts in sequence to produce a peristaltic wave, which propels a ball of food (called a bolus before being transformed into chyme in the stomach) along the tract.

The reverse of the involuntary smooth muscle contractions of peristalsis, usually as a precursor to vomiting.

The wavelike muscular contractions of the digestive tract or other tubular structures by which contents are forced onward toward the opening.

(medicine) The rhythmic, wave-like contraction and relaxation of muscles so as to propagate motion, as of food in the digestive tract.

Peristaltic contraction or action.

The process of wave-like muscle contractions of the alimentary tract that moves food along