What is the Difference Between Primary and Secondary Peristalsis?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Primary peristalsis is initiated by a swallow and is the main source of esophageal transit, pushing the ingested food bolus towards the stomach. On the other hand, secondary peristalsis is induced by esophageal distention and serves to maintain an empty esophagus by clearing refluxate from the stomach in the absence of swallowing.
Key differences between primary and secondary peristalsis include:
- Initiation: Primary peristalsis is initiated by swallowing, while secondary peristalsis is induced by esophageal distention.
- Control: Primary peristalsis is controlled by the swallowing center and coordinated by the myenteric plexus, whereas secondary peristalsis is largely an intrinsic neuromuscular reflex.
- Contraction Characteristics: Esophageal primary peristaltic contractions are more forceful, with longer duration and higher work output compared to secondary peristalsis contractions.
- Function: Primary peristalsis is responsible for transporting food from the mouth to the stomach, while secondary peristalsis functions to maintain an empty esophagus by clearing refluxate from the stomach.
Comparative Table: Primary vs Secondary Peristalsis
Here is a table summarizing the differences between primary and secondary peristalsis:
| Feature | Primary Peristalsis | Secondary Peristalsis |
|---|---|---|
| Induction | Swallowing | Esophageal distension |
| Prominence | More prominent | Less prominent |
| Contraction | More efficient, higher amplitudes, work output, and contractile tension | Less efficient, lower amplitudes, work output, and contractile tension |
| Duration | Longer | Shorter |
| Initiation | Initiated by a swallow | Induced by distension-induced peristalsis, mechanical distention, or water infusion |
Primary peristalsis is induced by swallowing and is the main source of esophageal transit, while secondary peristalsis is induced by esophageal distension and serves as a backup mechanism. Primary peristalsis has more efficient contractions with higher amplitudes, work output, and contractile tension, whereas secondary peristalsis has less efficient contractions with lower amplitudes, work output, and contractile tension.
- Peristalsis vs Antiperistalsis
- Peristalsis vs Segmentation
- Primary vs Secondary Active Transport
- Primary vs Secondary Hemostasis
- Primary vs Secondary Lysosomes
- Primary Xylem vs Secondary Xylem
- Primary vs Secondary Tuberculosis
- Primary vs Secondary Cells
- Primary vs Secondary Hypertension
- Primary vs Secondary Dentin
- Primary vs Secondary Osteoporosis
- Primary vs Secondary Cell Culture
- Primary vs Secondary Lymphoid Organs
- Primary vs Secondary Embryonic Induction
- Primary vs Secondary Immune Response
- Primary vs Secondary Mycelium
- Primary vs Secondary Insomnia
- Digestion in Stomach vs Digestion in Intestine
- Prostomium vs Peristomium