What is the name of the movements of the esophagus that massages food to digest it?
1 Answer
Apr 2, 2016
Esophageal peristalsis.
Explanation:
Peristalsis is the contraction of circular muscles around the esophagus to push a bolus (ball) of food towards the stomach and intestines for digestion. Peristalsis also serves to somewhat compress the food and turn it into a paste so it is easier for digestion, similar to the teeth in chewing, though this process mostly takes place in the stomach, where food is turned into chyle with stomach acids.
