The first sphincter encountered in the alimentary canal is the: The first sphincter encountered in the alimentary canal is the: pyloric sphincter. ileocecal sphincter. gastroesophageal sphincter. upper esophageal sphincter.

The correct answer is: upper esophageal sphincter.

Explanation:

The alimentary canal is a very long tract responsible for the digestion of the food. It is composed of several organs with many different and important functions. The alimentary canal also has a few sphincters, which are muscular valves that open and close when needed for the food to pass or be retained.

The first sphincter is the upper esophageal sphincter. One particularity of this sphincter is that is one of the few sphincters in the body that opens and closes under our conscious control, which happens when we decide to swallow our food.

From the first to the last, the order of the sphincters in the gastrointestinal tract is: upper esophageal sphincter, lower esophageal sphincter or gastroesophageal sphincter, pyloric sphincter, ileocecal sphincter, and anus.