What happens to chyme after it is formed in the stomach?

After chyme is formed in the stomach, it undergoes a process of mixing and churning, which breaks down food into a semi-liquid form. Once digestion reaches a certain point, the pyloric sphincter, a muscular valve at the lower end of the stomach, opens to allow chyme to pass into the small intestine. This transition is crucial because the small intestine is where most nutrient absorption occurs.

The movement of chyme into the small intestine marks the end of the stomach's digestive role for that particular food item. While the stomach does have some capacity for absorption, it is primarily designed for the mechanical and chemical breakdown of food. Retaining chyme for further digestion or secreting it out would not be aligned with the stomach's primary function of preparing food for nutrient absorption in the intestines. Thus, transferring chyme to the small intestine is the correct process that occurs after it is formed in the stomach.