Purpose of Baffle in Kitchen Tail Pipe?

[skeezix]

My kitchen sink drain consists of a vertical pipe with a horizontal opening for my garbage disposal. When I took the drain pipe out for inspection I saw a baffle inside on the horizontal opening. There was a bunch of goop on it that was slowing the GD drain water.

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What is the purpose of the baffle and could a regular T have been used?

 

[Twowaxhack]

To direct the garbage disposal flow down to the trap. Keeps stuff from blowing up into the other sink bowl.

 

[skeezix]

>>Keeps stuff from blowing up into the other sink bowl.<<

Makes sense. Never woulda thunk of that!