anastalsis

9.9

Backward movement of food in the intestine when muscles push it the wrong way

noun
/ˌænəˈstælsɪs/

Specialized

: anastalsis

In rare disorders, anastalsis may cause the contents of the intestine to move backward.

Examples

The doctor explained how anastalsis differs from the more common process of peristalsis.
Researchers observed anastalsis in animal models when studying reflux conditions.
The doctor explained that anastalsis can occur in certain conditions.
Can anastalsis lead to digestive issues?
In rare disorders, anastalsis may cause the contents of the intestine to move backward.
Researchers observed anastalsis in animal models during their studies of reflux conditions.
The doctor explained how anastalsis is a reverse movement in the alimentary tract, unlike peristalsis.

Antonyms

peristalsis

Specialized

2 8.6

Automatic wavelike muscle movements in the digestive system that push food along

Surface Forms

anastalsis singular

anastalses plural

Morphology

anastalsis = peristalsis (opaque) = ana + stalsis

Modeled on 'peristalsis' but uses a non-standalone combining form 'stalsis' and is a specialized medical term unlikely to be inferable by average learners.

Etymology

The word anastalsis comes from the Greek prefix ana- meaning 'up' or 'back' and the same root as peristalsis, the 'wave-like' muscle movement that pushes food through the gut. So, anastalsis means a backward or reverse muscle wave in the intestines, which is why it moves contents the wrong way.