What structure connects the stomach and the small intestine?

The structure that connects the stomach and the small intestine is the pyloric sphincter. This muscular valve is located at the lower end of the stomach and plays a crucial role in regulating the passage of partially digested food, known as chyme, from the stomach into the small intestine, specifically into the duodenum, which is the first part of the small intestine.

The pyloric sphincter opens and closes to control the amount of chyme that enters the small intestine, ensuring that it is released in a regulated manner. This regulation is essential because the small intestine needs time to process and absorb the nutrients effectively.

While the duodenum is the initial section of the small intestine following the pyloric sphincter, it is not the structure that connects the two organs. The liver, although vital to digestion for its role in bile production, does not connect the stomach and small intestine, and the esophagus is responsible for transporting food from the mouth to the stomach, not connecting the stomach to the small intestine.