What is the prostate and what is its main function?

The prostate is a fibromuscular gland that surrounds the prostatic urethra. Its primary function is to secrete substances into seminal fluid, including acid phosphatase, PSA, citric acid, amylase, prostaglandins, and fibrinolysin.

Where is the prostate located in the body?

The prostate is located in the lesser pelvis. It lies inferior to the neck of the bladder, superior to the urogenital diaphragm, posterior to the pubic symphysis, anterior to the ampulla of the rectum, and lateral to the levator ani muscle.

What are the lobes of the prostate and their clinical significance?

The prostate has four main lobes: the anterior lobe (isthmus), which is fibromuscular and non-glandular; the posterior lobe, a common site for prostate carcinoma; the median lobe, a common site for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH); and two lateral lobes on each side of the urethra.

What is the blood supply to the prostate?

The prostate receives arterial blood primarily from the inferior vesical artery, with additional supply from the middle rectal and internal pudendal arteries.

How does the prostate change with age?

The prostate undergoes several changes with age: in childhood, it is small with fibromuscular predominance; at puberty, it grows rapidly due to testosterone; and by the fifth decade, hypertrophy or senile atrophy is common.

What are the common clinical conditions associated with the prostate?

Common clinical conditions include Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), which is enlargement of the median lobe causing urinary obstruction; Prostatic Carcinoma, often in the posterior lobe with potential metastasis via Batson’s plexus; and elevated PSA levels used for screening and monitoring prostate cancer.

What is the venous drainage of the prostate and its clinical relevance?

The prostate drains into the prostatic venous plexus, which connects to the internal iliac veins. It also communicates with the vertebral venous plexus (Batson’s plexus), which is clinically significant as it can allow prostate cancer to metastasize to vertebrae and the brain.

Prostate – Anatomy, Zones & Clinical Relevance

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