What is the term for the movement of food through the digestive tract?

The term for the movement of food through the digestive tract is peristalsis. This process involves a series of wave-like muscle contractions that occur in the digestive system, pushing contents along the gastrointestinal tract from the esophagus to the anus. Peristalsis begins in the esophagus as food is swallowed and continues throughout the stomach and intestines, facilitating digestion and nutrient absorption.

Understanding peristalsis is crucial in the context of digestive health, as it ensures that food is adequately processed and that nutrients are efficiently absorbed by the body. In contrast, absorption refers specifically to the uptake of nutrients after they have been broken down during digestion, metabolism involves the chemical processes that convert food into energy, and secretion pertains to the release of digestive juices and enzymes that aid in digestion.