Peristalsis is the mechanism that propels content through the colon — essential for digestion and waste removal. In the large intestine, smooth muscle contractions occur in slow, coordinated waves. This movement helps absorb water, mix contents, and push stool toward the rectum. These contractions are controlled by the enteric nervous system, a dense network of neurons embedded in the gut wall. It functions independently, but also responds to input from the brain and autonomic nervous system. Th