The Prostate: What Is It, Where Is It Found, and What Is Its Function?

What is the prostate? It is a gland in the male species that works with the reproduction system. It stores and secretes the clear fluid that makes up one-third of the total volume of semen. In male humans it is about the size of a walnut and is located just below the bladder and can be felt during a rectal exam.

The urethra in the male has two specific roles. One is to carry urine from the bladder during urination, and the second is to carry sperm during ejaculation. The urethra tube that goes through the prostate gland is called the prostatic urethra and merges with the two ejaculatory ducts. Semen is composed of both seminal fluid and sperm; the prostate produces about 30 percent of the seminal fluid and the balance is produced by the two seminal vesicles. The smooth muscle of the prostate also helps to send out the semen during ejaculation.

The prostate fluid is made of simple sugars and other simple prostatic secretions. About one percent is protein and it also includes zinc, citric acid, proteolytic enzymes, acid phosphatase and an antigen that is specific to the prostate gland. The prostate must have male hormones to work properly. These male hormones are also responsible for male characteristics. The main male hormone is testosterone, produced by the testicles. Some testosterone is also produced by the adrenal glands.

The prostate has developed by the ninth week of the embryo. It is made of glandular and non-glandular enclosed in a capsule. It has four distinct regions, the Peripheral Zone, The Central Zone, The Transition Zone, and the Anterior Fibro-muscular Zone. The Peripheral Zone is where more than 70 percent of prostatic cancers start.

The Central Zone surrounds the ejaculatory ducts and account for more than 25 percent of cancerous tumors start here. The Transition Zone accounts for only 5 percent of the total prostate and is usually where benign prostatic enlargement originates. The Anterior Fibro-muscular Zone makes up another 5 percent of the prostate and is made mostly of muscle and fibrous tissue.

The prostate goes through two main periods of growth. In puberty the prostate doubles in size, and then again grows again when a man reaches the age of twenty-five. The prostate does grow throughout a man’s life but these are the two main growth periods. A man may have problems late in life from an enlarged prostate that will give him trouble with urination and sexual problems.

Prostate problems may include BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), prostate cancer, and prostatitis. For men under 50 the most common problem is prostatitis, older men are more at risk for BPH. Older men are more prone to developing prostate cancer although it is less common that BPH. Doctors recommend regular prostate exams as men begin to age. As with any medical problem, early detection is the key to finding and treating any prostate problems. If you are having any urination problems it is a sign you should see your doctor.

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