Peristole (from the Greek words peristole - “enveloping, covering” and stello - “compress, tighten”) is the process of contraction and relaxation of the muscles of hollow organs, such as the esophagus, stomach, intestines, ureters, uterus, etc.
The peristole ensures the movement of contents through these organs. For example, thanks to peristaltic contractions, food moves through the esophagus into the stomach and then through the intestines, bile enters the duodenum, urine through the ureters into the bladder, etc.
Violations of the peristole can lead to various diseases of the digestive system, urinary system and others. Therefore, a normal peristole is important for human health. The regulation of the peristole is carried out by the autonomic nervous system, hormones and other physiological mechanisms of the body.
Peristole: what is it and how was it used in antiquity?
A peristole (from the Greek peristole - enveloping, covering, from peri- + stello - to compress, pull together) is a colonnade surrounding a building or courtyard in the ancient style. This architectural feature was especially popular in Ancient Greece and Rome, where it was used as a decorative element and protection from sun and rain.
The peristole usually consisted of a series of columns connected by arches or other architectural elements. Sometimes the peristole had a floor that ran around a building or courtyard surrounded by columns. Such peristoles were often used as places for walking and relaxing, as well as for holding rituals and ceremonies.
One of the most famous peristoles in antiquity was the peristyle basilica in Pompeii. This famous architectural monument was built in the 2nd century BC and served as a place for trade and court hearings. It had two rows of columns connected by arches and was surrounded by a peristole, which provided protection from heat and rain.
Peristole was also used in religious architecture. In ancient Greece, for example, peristyle temples were built to honor the gods and were used for religious ceremonies. Such temples usually had columns that surrounded the temple on four sides, forming a peristole.
In modern architecture, peristole is also used as a decorative element. It can be built around a building or yard as protection from sun and rain, or used as a place to walk and relax.
In conclusion, the peristole is an architectural element that was widely used in antiquity. It not only served as protection from the elements of nature, but was also an important element of decoration and religious architecture. Today, peristole is used in modern architecture as an element of decoration and protection from the sun and rain.