What is peristalsis movement ? Compare the similarity of bolus movement in esophagus with cycle tube and potato experiment what you have conducted in school.

Explanation

Peristaltic movement is the contraction and relaxation of the muscles of the digestive system . The movement of food through food pipe is known as peristaltic movement .
Food movement in alimentary canal :
1) The walls of the food pipe secrete a slippery substance called mucus. Mucus lubricates and protects the esophageal walls from damage .
2) This helps the food bolus to slide down easily just as the oiled potatoes that move in the tube. Oil acted as lubricant to push the potatoes easily in the forward direction.
3) The wall of the esophagus is made up of two kinds of smooth muscles . The inner layer consists of circular muscles and the outer layer of longitudinal muscles .
4) Contraction of the circular muscles results in narrowing of the esophagus just behind the bolus.
5) so the food is squeezed downwards.
6) Contraction of the longitudinal muscles in front of the bolus widen the tube , this results is shortening of that particular part of the esophagus
7) Contraction and relaxation of these muscles bring in wave -like motion that propels the food bolus into the stomach by the action called as peristalsis.
8) This is involuntary and under the control of autonomous nervous system.