What is the name of the muscle that regulates the passage from the stomach to the lower gastrointestinal tract?

The muscle that regulates the passage from the stomach to the lower gastrointestinal tract is known as the pyloric valve. This valve is located at the lower end of the stomach and functions to control the movement of partially digested food (chyme) from the stomach into the duodenum, which is the first section of the small intestine. The pyloric valve opens and closes in response to specific physiological cues, ensuring that the contents of the stomach are released at an appropriate rate for further digestion and nutrient absorption.

The other options refer to different structures: the cardiac sphincter prevents food and stomach acid from flowing back into the esophagus, the esophageal sphincter (often synonymous with the cardiac sphincter) is involved in controlling the entry of food into the stomach, and the rectal valve assists in regulating the release of feces from the rectum. Each of these muscles has a distinct role in the digestive process, but the pyloric valve is specifically responsible for the transition from the stomach to the lower gastrointestinal tract.