noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
peristalsis; vermiculation; worm-like crawling
Refers to the wave-like muscular contractions that move contents through the digestive tract (peristalsis), or more generally to a worm-like creeping motion. In medical contexts, 蠕動 is the standard term for peristalsis; in literary or descriptive use, it can describe any slow, wriggling movement.
腸の蠕動運動によって食べ物が運ばれる。
Food is moved along by the peristaltic movements of the intestines.
The earthworm crawled into the soil with a wriggling motion.