Difference Between Peristalsis and Segmentation

Introduction

Several internal processes take place in the human body. The body undergoes many intricate processes, including breathing, ingesting food, digestion, and associated muscular contractions. Peristalsis and segmentation are two examples of such bodily contractions. Both include movement; however, the first only involves motion in one direction, whilst the latter causes motion in both directions.

Peristalsis and segmentation are fundamentally different from one another since segmentation refers to the rhythmic contractions of the circular muscles in the digestive system. In contrast, peristalsis refers to the contractile activity of the longitudinal muscles in the gastrointestinal tract.

The process of peristalsis begins in the oesophagus. Both the large intestine and small intestine are characterised by segmentation. Food propagates rapidly during peristalsis, while segmentation results in slow food propagation.

Table of Contents

Peristalsis

The peristaltic movement, also known as peristalsis, is the contraction and relaxation of the oesophagus and the food pipe, which causes the food to be pushed down the track to the stomach. This involuntary movement is required to transport food through the stomach and bowels through the anus.

The entire GI tract undergoes peristalsis, a contraction of the circular and longitudinal muscles. Peristalsis is a muscle movement that is radially symmetrical and is responsible for the spread of materials. It moves only in one direction, caudally. It has less influence over food mixing, which is a slow process.

In addition, the primary peristaltic wave begins with the entry of the meal into the oesophagus, followed by swallowing. The duration of this wave is roughly 8 to 9 seconds. A secondary peristaltic wave occurs, surrounding the bolus with the stimulation of a local response if the bolus becomes trapped or moves slowly. As a result, it pushes the bolus downward.

Also, read: Digestion in Grass Eating Animals

Segmentation

The act of segmentation, which resembles a muscle contraction in the small intestine, primarily contributes to the mixing of food. Circular muscles contract throughout the motion in both the backward and forward directions. Furthermore, it assists in fragmenting the chyme. It does not result in any movement of food in any direction.

The food is moving back and forth because of these localised contractions. Segmentation enables mechanical digestion while making it easier for food to combine with small intestinal fluids. It facilitates the continual division, fragmentation and blending of the material. As a result, it helps food move slowly towards the end of the gastrointestinal tract while facilitating nutrient absorption through digestion.

Additionally, hormones, pacemaker cells, chemicals, etc., might trigger it to be activated. The segmentation can begin and be maintained by factors like hormones or neurological processes.

Also, read: Digestion in Ruminants

Difference between Peristalsis and Segmentation

Peristalsis Segmentation
These are muscular contractions used to transport food through the digestive tract. It is a muscle process in the small intestine that divides and mixes the chyme by alternating backwards and forward movement of the GI tract contents.
It results from the contraction of both longitudinal and circular muscles. It results from the rhythmic contraction of the circular muscles.
It is a one-way movement that occurs in the caudal direction. It moves in both ways while also allowing for better mixing.
It is most prominent in the oesophagus. It prevails in both the small and large intestines.
This results in high-speed food propagation This results in slow-speed propagation
Peristalsis involves minimal mixing Segmentation involves thorough mixing

Peristalsis is a one-way movement that pushes food, resulting in high food propagation. Alternatively, food propagation is slowed down by segmentation, which similarly occurs back and forth, but it also permits more food to be mixed. Both merely differ in movement type; their directions, however, differ.

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Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Q1

Which type of digestion involves peristalsis and segmentation?

Mechanical digestion starts in the mouth with chewing, then proceeds to churn in the stomach, followed by segmentation in the small intestine. Peristalsis is another component of mechanical digestion.
Q2

Where do both peristalsis and segmentation occur?

Segmentation contractions happen in the large and small intestines, experiencing the majority of them, unlike peristalsis, which primarily occurs in the oesophagus.
Q3

What organ does peristalsis occur in?

It begins in the oesophagus, where forceful waves of smooth muscle carry balls of ingested food to the stomach. As peristalsis continues in the small intestine, the food is ground into a fluid combination known as chyme.