The cardiac sphincter is associated with which part of the digestive system?

The cardiac sphincter, also known as the lower esophageal sphincter, is located at the junction of the esophagus and the stomach. Its primary function is to control the passage of food from the esophagus into the stomach while preventing the backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus. This mechanism is crucial for maintaining the proper direction of food movement and protecting the esophagus from the acidic environment of the stomach. Proper functioning of the cardiac sphincter helps prevent conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), where stomach acid can irritate the esophagus. Therefore, identifying the cardiac sphincter as being associated with the stomach is important for understanding its role in the digestive system.