Prostate Anatomy: Learn About the Gland and Common Issues
The prostate is part of the male reproductive system and primarily produces seminal fluid, one of the main components of semen.
In today’s blog, you will discover the prostate anatomy, its functions, and related diseases.
What Is the Prostate and Where Is It Located?
The prostate is an organ of the male reproductive system.
The prostate is located between the bladder and the penis, surrounding the urethra, which carries urine from the bladder out of the body.
The prostate’s function is to produce prostatic fluid. This fluid is one of the components of semen and it protects and nourishes sperm so they can reach the egg.
Because it is close to the urethra, the gland is also important for the urinary system. Men with an enlarged prostate often have issues like difficulty starting urination, for example.
Prostate Anatomy
The prostate gland has six sides and is located in the pelvic region. A normal prostate measures about 4 cm in width, 3 cm in height, 2 cm in thickness, and weighs 20 grams. Regarding prostate tissue, we have:
- Glandular tissue: it has cells that produce and release fluid to protect and nourish sperm so they can reach the egg in a healthy condition;
- Fibromuscular tissue: a combination of smooth muscle fibers and fibrous connective tissue that mainly has collagen fibers. This tissue is involved in the contraction that releases semen.
Prostate anatomy also includes prostate zones, which have the following characteristics:
- Central zone: approximately 25% of the prostate volume and surrounds the ejaculatory ducts, the channels that carry semen into the urethra during ejaculation. The central zone has lower disease risk;
- Transition zone: represents about 5% to 10% of the volume. Non-benign prostate enlargement often occurs in this region;
- Peripheral zone: comprises 70% of the total prostate gland volume and is also the most affected by prostate cancer. In the
digital rectal exam,
this is the area analyzed by the urologist.
Changes Throughout Life
The anatomy of the prostate undergoes age-related changes. See what they are:
- Childhood and adolescence: the prostate is small and almost inactive in childhood. During adolescence, the gland grows and reaches its adult size due to increasing levels of
testosterone
and dihydrotestosterone; - Young adult – ages 20/30: the prostate performs its function of producing the fluid that composes semen;
- Middle age – over 40: this is when the prostate may enlarge due to
reduced testosterone.
This enlargement is called benign prostatic hyperplasia and can cause urinary problems;
Over 60: prostate growth is more common at this age, and symptoms such as difficulty urinating, increased urinary frequency, and incomplete bladder emptying become more intense. The risk of prostate cancer is higher in this phase.
Prostate Vascularization
The prostate receives blood from three arteries:
- Internal pudendal artery;
- Inferior vesical artery;
- Middle rectal arteries.
In addition to supplying blood to the prostate gland, these arteries also supply the bladder and the urethra.
The blood supply to the prostate works as follows:
- The blood leaving the prostate passes through a network of veins surrounding it;
- This venous network receives blood from nearby areas, such as the
penis,
for example, and carries it to larger veins that eventually transport the blood back to the heart.
Innervation
Innervation consists of signals sent by nerves so the prostate can carry out its functions. It is a communication system that controls the release of substances produced by the prostate, such as the prostate-specific antigen (PSA), which maintains the fluidity of semen.
This system also sends signals to the prostate muscles and nearby areas to contract and enable ejaculation.
Lymphatic Drainage
The prostate’s lymphatic drainage includes channels that transport waste and fluids to lymph nodes, which act as filters that capture viruses, bacteria, and other impurities, as well as produce defense cells for the body.
The prostate zones are connected to different groups of lymph nodes, located near the bladder and rectum. Therefore, these lymph nodes are involved in immune responses and in filtering potentially harmful substances, such as viruses and bacteria.
How Does the Prostate Affect Men’s Health?
The prostate is important for reproduction and the urinary system. See how the gland influences men’s health.
- Production of seminal fluid: prostatic fluid contains proteins that protect and nourish sperm;
- Urinary system: the prostate surrounds the urethra, so gland problems may cause urinary discomfort, especially in older men.
What Are the Prostate’s Functions?
Learn what the prostate does:
- Assists with ejaculation, because the gland helps contract the muscles involved in releasing semen;
- Contributes to fertility by producing the fluid that keeps sperm healthy, facilitating their arrival at the egg.
Prostate-Related Diseases and Their Symptoms
Prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and prostate cancer are the most common prostate diseases.
Learn about their symptoms:
- Prostatitis: inflammation of the prostate caused by bacterial infections or injuries. Symptoms include pelvic pain, pain when urinating, and fever;
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia: a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate, with symptoms such as frequent urination and difficulty fully emptying the bladder;
- Prostate cancer: an uncontrolled growth of cells. Difficulty urinating, blood in the urine or semen, and bone pain are common symptoms.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Benign prostatic hyperplasia is the enlargement of the prostate without a cancerous origin.
The causes of this growth include the decrease in male hormones such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, which is common with aging.
Symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia include:
- Difficulty initiating urination;
- A sensation of incomplete bladder emptying;
- Feeling the urge to urinate frequently, including at night;
- Reduced volume and force of the urinary stream;
- Dribbling at the end of urination;
- Urinary tract infection;
- Changes in the bladder muscle wall.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells. Risk factors include family history, genetic changes, advanced age, sedentary lifestyle, and obesity. Race is another factor, as Black men are more prone.
Symptoms like pain when urinating, blood in the urine, weight loss, excessive fatigue, and pain in the lower back or bones indicate that the disease is in an advanced stage.
Prostatitis
Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate caused by bacterial or viral infections, pelvic injuries, and autoimmune diseases.Bacterial prostatitis is the most common and occurs when bacteria enter the prostate through the urethra.
Frequent symptoms include:
- Pain or discomfort between the scrotum and anus;
- Pain or discomfort in the lower back, penis, or testicles;
- Pain or burning during urination;
- Urgency to urinate, especially at night;
- Pain during erection or ejaculation;
- Erectile dysfunction;
- Pain when defecating.
Prostatic Nodules
Prostatic nodules are abnormal tissue formations that can be benign, as in benign prostatic hyperplasia, or malignant, as in prostate cancer.
These nodules may cause urinary problems, blood in the urine, pelvic pain, and painful ejaculation.
What Are the Warning Signs?
Difficulty urinating, blood in the urine or semen, and pain during ejaculation or erection are warning signs of prostate problems.
As soon as these symptoms appear, you must see a urologist for testing.
Preventing prostate diseases requires information. For that, join Dr. Paulo’s WhatsApp group to receive guidance from a men’s health specialist.
