ANATOMY

This structure is situated in the Pylorus an area of the stomach’s bottom. Pylorus narrows and thickens itself forming ring of smooth muscles which is known as the Pyloric Sphincter. When contracted the Sphincter holds stomach contents allowing digestive juices of stomach to break these contents into a thick paste known as Chyme (this paste contains food and gastric juice in which protein contents are broken down). When the Chyme is ready for further processing, the Sphincter valve relaxes allowing the Chyme to pass into the Duodenum for the next step of digestion.

FUNCTION

Pyloric Sphincter is a valve that controls the passage of food from the stomach to the Duodenum (the first part of Small Intestine).

Being the most important part of the digestive tract it performs various functions related to the regulation of digestion process and maintenance of healthy working of Digestive Tract.

CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

With the main function being the regulation of digestion Pyloric Sphincter also acts to prevent the Regurgitation (backward movement of food) from intestines to stomach which may disrupt stomach functions and make the person severely sick. Acting as a One Way Guard it allows the movement of contents of digestive tract in one direction only.

DISEASES

In a condition known as Pyloric Stenosis the Pyloric Sphincter becomes narrow due to which Chyme doesn’t get a chance to move to the duodenum.

Also it may open at wrong times or with insufficient openings leading to disruption of person’s Digestive System.

These conditions can be viewed by medical imaging technique Endoscopy; a procedure that involves the insertion of a camera to view the inside of stomach and intestines.