peristalith (peristalith)

[Irreg. The monument consists of a ruined chamber, of some remains of a gallery, and of a second chamber to complete the cruciform plan, which were all at one time buried in the earth, and surrounded by a ring of stones, or perista lith , of an oblong form. C. Elton , Origins of Eng. Hist., p. 131. peristalsis (per-i-stal's is), n. [NL., περί , around, + στάλσις , compre ion, constriction, peristaltic .] The peculiar involuntary muscular movements of various hollow organs of the body, especially of the alimentary canal, whereby their contents are propelled onward. As best seen in the small intestines, it consists of rhythmic circular contractions, traveling, wave-like, downward, due to succe ive contractions of the circular and longitudinal muscular fibers. Peristalsis, simple or modified, is characteristic of the whole alimentary canal, from the beginning of the esophagus to the anus, but it also occurs in other tubes or cavities, as the ureters, Fallopian tubes, etc. peristaltic (per-i-stal'tik), a. [= F. péristal tique = Sp. peristáltico = Pg. It. peristaltico, στέλλειν, set, place, bring together, bind, compre . Cf. peristalsis.] 1. Compre ive; contracting in succe ive circles; of or pertaining to peristalsis; consisting in or exhibiting peristalsis. Peristaltic is sometimes used to designate waves of contraction running in the ordinary direction down the alimentary canal, while antiperistaltic denotes those running in the opposite direction. 2. Noting that electrostatic induction which takes place between two or more conducting wires when inclosed within the same insulating case, as in an ocean cable: a use due to Sir W. Thomson. peristaltically (per-i-stal'ti-kal-i), adv. In a peristaltic manner. Owen.