Food and its products of degradation move through the alimentary canal by means of peristalsis. What is peristalsis?

A) rhythmic lengthening and shortening of epithelial cells lining the lumen of the alimentary canal
B) movement of nerve impulses from the central nervous system to the autorhythmic smooth muscle cells
C) rhythmic waves of contraction of the muscular layer surrounding the alimentary canal that are responsible for moving contents of the lumen along the length of the digestive tract
D) movements of the muscular layer surrounding the alimentary canal that are under voluntary control