anastalsis
|a-nas-tal-sis|
/ˌænəˈstælsɪs/
reverse contraction (in the gut)
Etymology
'anastalsis' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'anastalsis', where 'ana-' meant 'up' or 'again' and 'stalsis' is related to 'contraction'.
'anastalsis' was adopted directly from Greek into modern scientific English terminology.
Initially, it meant 'an upward contraction', and over time it evolved into its current medical meaning of 'reverse contraction of the alimentary canal'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a contraction of the alimentary canal that moves food along, especially in the opposite direction to normal peristalsis (i.e., upward or backward movement).
Anastalsis can occur in cases of vomiting, when the contents of the stomach move upward.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/07/30 23:21