Archive for the ‘Prostate Anxiety’ Category
What Does the Prostate Do Exactly?
What does the Prostate do? First let’s find out what it is, the prostate gland is a walnut sized exocrine gland of the male reproductive system. The name ‘Prostate’ is derived from a Greek word, ‘Prostates’, which means ‘to stand before’. Anatomically, it stands before the testes; therefore it was called ‘prostate’ by the anatomist, Herophilus. The weight of a healthy prostate in adult males is between 7-16 grams.
It is made up of 70% glandular tissue and 30% muscular tissue. The Prostate undergoes two major growth spurts. The first spurt is during puberty due to the release of sex hormones secreted by testicles and the second spurt occurs during the forties. Anatomically, the prostate gland is divided in to four zones- Anterior lobe, Posterior lobe, Medial lobe and Lateral lobe. The prostate gland is non-capsulated and is surrounded by an integral fibromuscular band. The prostate gland secretes prostatic fluid that forms the part of semen.
Where is the Prostate located?
The prostate gland is located below the bladder encircling the urethra (the canal through which urine passes) and this location is behind the pubic bone and in front of the rectum. The prostate lies above the base of the penis below the urinary bladder. The urethra crosses the bladder through the prostate gland to the tip of the penis. The part of the urethra that crosses through the prostate is known as prostatic urethra.
What are the Functions of the Prostate Gland?
Prostate gland is a major organ of the male reproductive system and plays an important role: The primary function of the prostate gland is to secrete a slightly alkaline fluid that has a white, milky appearance. This milky fluid constitutes 20-30% of the semen along with seminal vesicle fluid and sperm. The smooth muscles in the prostate help to expel semen during the process of ejaculation. The sperm are sensitive to the acid present in female vagina. The alkaline nature of the prostatic fluid in the semen protects the sperm from the acidic environment of the vaginal tract. Prostatic fluid nourishes and energizes the sperm ejaculated in the female.
Prostatic secretions are rich in zinc, citric acid, calcium, albumin, acid phosphatase and prostatic specific antigen (PSA)and play a role in reproduction and in maintaining the male reproductive health. The PSA present in the prostatic fluid neutralizes the effects of clotting enzyme that comes from seminal vesicle fluid. This clotting enzyme glues the seminal fluid to the female cervix, but due to the counteracting effect of PSA, the clot is dissolved and sperm are free to swim in to the uterus. The prostate gland is regulated by male hormones (androgens) that are produced mainly by testicles and in small amounts by adrenal glands.