Which sphincter controls the exit of food from the stomach?

The pyloric sphincter is responsible for controlling the passage of food from the stomach into the small intestine, specifically the duodenum. It is located at the distal end of the stomach and regulates the rate at which the partially digested food, known as chyme, exits the stomach. This sphincter ensures that the chyme does not enter the small intestine too rapidly, allowing for adequate mixing with digestive enzymes and absorption of nutrients.

The function of the cardiac sphincter, which is located at the junction of the esophagus and the stomach, is to prevent the backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus. The esophageal sphincter facilitates the movement of food down into the stomach but does not control the exit from it. The anal sphincter, located at the end of the digestive tract, has a role in controlling defecation but does not relate to food exiting the stomach. Therefore, the pyloric sphincter's role is vital for the proper digestion and transition of food from the stomach into the next phase of digestion in the intestines.