Segmentation contractions

<p>Segmentation contractions (or movements) are a type of <a href="/facts/Intestinal_motility/DPWGFxhu">intestinal motility</a>.
</p><p>Unlike <a href="/facts/Peristalsis/R6zzQb1d">peristalsis</a>, which predominates in the <a href="/facts/Esophagus/XWa7WoWn">esophagus</a>, segmentation contractions occur in the <a href="/facts/Large_intestine/vQtlNBv9">large intestine</a> and <a href="/facts/Small_intestine/1AQ8RJ4m">small intestine</a>, while predominating in the latter. While peristalsis involves one-way motion in the caudal direction, segmentation contractions move <a href="/facts/Chyme/zty06x48">chyme</a> in both directions, which allows greater mixing with the secretions of the intestines.  Segmentation involves contractions of the circular muscles in the digestive tract, while peristalsis involves rhythmic contractions of the longitudinal muscles in the <a href="/facts/Gastrointestinal_tract/nK2zwqBS">gastrointestinal tract</a>.  Unlike peristalsis, segmentation actually can slow progression of chyme through the system.
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Segmentation contractions open-in-new

Segmentation contractions