Which of the following sphincter controls the passage of food into the stomach ?

Options

A. Upper oesophageal sphincter
B. Gastro-oesophageal sphincter
C. Pyloric sphincter
D. Oesophageal sphincter

Answer

To answer the question "Which of the following sphincter controls the passage of food into the stomach?", we will follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Sphincters**:
- A sphincter is a circular muscle that acts as a valve to control the passage of substances between different parts of the body. In the digestive system, sphincters regulate the flow of food and digestive juices.

2. **Identifying the Relevant Sphincters**:
- In the context of the digestive system, there are several sphincters, including:
- Upper esophageal sphincter
- Lower esophageal sphincter (also known as gastroesophageal sphincter or cardiac sphincter)
- Pyloric sphincter

3. **Function of Each Sphincter**:
- **Upper Esophageal Sphincter**: Controls the entry of food from the mouth into the esophagus.
- **Lower Esophageal Sphincter (Gastroesophageal Sphincter)**: Controls the passage of food from the esophagus into the stomach.
- **Pyloric Sphincter**: Controls the exit of food from the stomach into the small intestine.

4. **Analyzing the Question**:
- The question specifically asks which sphincter controls the passage of food into the stomach.
- Based on the functions identified, the sphincter that allows food to enter the stomach from the esophagus is the **Lower Esophageal Sphincter** (Gastroesophageal Sphincter).

5. **Selecting the Correct Option**:
- From the options provided:
- Upper esophageal sphincter: Incorrect (it controls entry into the esophagus).
- Gastroesophageal sphincter: Correct (it controls entry into the stomach).
- Pyloric sphincter: Incorrect (it controls exit from the stomach).
- Oesophageal sphincter: Incorrect (not specified, but generally refers to the upper sphincter).

### Conclusion:
The correct answer to the question is the **Gastroesophageal Sphincter** (Lower Esophageal Sphincter).

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