Marvel Team-Up #1 (2004)
Written by Robert Kirkman
Artwork by Scott Kolins
Colors by Studio F
Chef’s Note: Seeing Peter enjoying his breakfast while hanging upside down might make one wonder if this is yet another of his super spider-enhanced abilities.
After all, spiders hang upside down and every which way while eating, eight legs each with an iron grip and sideways-opening mouths sucking the life essence out of their paralyzed and trussed-up victims like jelly out of a lemon-filled donut…
Sorry, where was I?
Those of you who have never done a keg stand* may find it surprising that eating and even drinking upside down is, in fact, a very normal and very human thing to be able to do. It’s all because we have an amazing thing called an esophagus:
The uniqueness of the esophagus lies in the fact that it is not some hollow transportation tube, like a laundry chute. A primary peristaltic wave drives the passage of the bolus through the tube. The term peristalsis describes the involuntary ringlike contractions of the circular smooth muscles lining the oesophagus. These contractions occur throughout the length of the esophagus. The contractions move the bolus further towards the stomach in a wave-like pattern. It is identical to the mechanism that earthworms use to move from one place to another.
A mechanism of the nervous system called the “migrating motor complex” controls the smooth muscles. This mechanism operates in only one direction and is also present in the lower regions of the digestive tract. Peristaltic waves are very powerful and can transport the bolus to the stomach in approximately 5 to 9 seconds. It is important to note that this process is in no way dependent on gravity. This is why astronauts do not have to worry about eating their food while floating in space!
Chef’s Note: It is very pleasing to see here that Peter takes the time to find a proper receptacle to dispose of his trash, unlike some other superheroes I can think of.
That said, there are still four donuts in the box when he jumps up to leave. Does he really toss them all in the dumpster? Seems so.
At least the local pigeons will be happy full.
Chef’s Note: Happy National Donut Day!