Overview Gastric motility functions orad stomach relaxes to receive the food bolus from the esophagus login to view 1 more bullet caudad stomach contractions reduce size of the food bolus and mix it with gastric secretions to initiate digestion login to view 1 more bullet gastric emptying propels the chyme into the duodenum of small intestines receptive relaxation distension of the lower esophagus by the food bolus produces relaxation and opening of the lower esophageal (cardiac) sphincter and, simultaneously, relaxation of the orad stomach login to view 1 more bullet vagovagal reflex login to view 6 more bullets mixing and digestion caudad stomach has a thick muscular wall login to view 3 more bullets gastric emptying contractions periodically propel a portion of the gastric contents through the pylorus and pyloric sphincter into the duodenum of the small intestine gastric emptying is closely regulated to allow adequate time for neutralization of gastric acid in the duodenum and adequate time for digestion and absorption login to view 7 more bullets