Prostate (Prostata)
Educational content only — not medical advice.
Anatomy
The prostate is a walnut-sized fibromuscular and glandular accessory reproductive organ in males, situated in the lesser pelvis immediately inferior to the urinary bladder neck and resting on the pelvic diaphragm. Encircling the prostatic urethra, it secretes a slightly alkaline fluid rich in citric acid, zinc, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) that constitutes about 30% of seminal volume and liquefies coagulated semen.
Clinical notes
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) arises in the transitional zone, producing lower urinary tract symptoms (hesitancy, weak stream, nocturia); prostate adenocarcinoma originates predominantly in the peripheral zone, detected by digital rectal examination and serum PSA.
Related structures
Educational references
FAQ
What is the role of the Prostate?
The prostate is a walnut-sized fibromuscular and glandular accessory reproductive organ in males, situated in the lesser pelvis immediately inferior to the urinary bladder neck and resting on the pelvic diaphragm. Encircling the prostatic urethra, it secretes a slightly alkaline fluid rich in citric acid, zinc, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) that constitutes about 30% of seminal volume and liquefies coagulated semen.
Why is the Prostate clinically important?
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) arises in the transitional zone, producing lower urinary tract symptoms (hesitancy, weak stream, nocturia); prostate adenocarcinoma originates predominantly in the peripheral zone, detected by digital rectal examination and serum PSA.
Source & license
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