Which sphincters are located in the stomach?

The sphincters located in the stomach are the pyloric and cardiac sphincters. The cardiac sphincter, also known as the lower esophageal sphincter, is positioned at the junction where the esophagus connects to the stomach. Its primary function is to prevent the backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus, thus protecting the esophageal lining from the acidic gastric juices.

The pyloric sphincter, situated at the lower end of the stomach, regulates the passage of partially digested food (chyme) from the stomach into the duodenum, which is the first section of the small intestine. By controlling this outflow, the pyloric sphincter plays a crucial role in digestion, ensuring that food is sent into the intestines only when it has been adequately processed.

Understanding the roles of these two sphincters is essential for grasping the basic functions of the digestive system, particularly how the stomach interacts with adjacent structures during digestion.