Organ
Prostate
A gland surrounding the urethra beneath the bladder
High-yield
Use zonal anatomy: peripheral, central and transition zones, plus anterior fibromuscular stroma. Hyperplasia and cancer have different usual distributions within this arrangement.
Overview
The prostate lies below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Glandular ducts empty into the prostatic urethra, while smooth muscle and connective tissue form its supporting stroma. The ejaculatory ducts pass through the gland from the seminal vesicles and deferential ampullae.
Reference facts
- Location
- Below the bladder neck, behind the pubic symphysis and retropubic space, and anterior to the rectum; the urethral sphincter region continues below the apex.
- Parts
- Base, apex and surfaces contain peripheral, central and transition glandular zones and anterior fibromuscular stroma.
- Blood supply
- Variable prostatic branches arise from internal iliac branches, often vesical, pudendal or rectal sources.
- Innervation
- Autonomic fibers enter through the prostatic plexus; sympathetic activity contributes to emission, and cavernous nerves pass in adjacent pelvic tissue.
- Venous/Lymphatic drainage
- Prostatic veins join internal iliac drainage and communicating pelvic/vertebral networks; lymph reaches several pelvic nodal basins.
- Relations
- Bladder superiorly, rectoprostatic tissue and rectum posteriorly, levator-related tissues laterally, and puboprostatic attachments and venous structures anteriorly.
- Function
- Produces fluid containing citrate, zinc and enzymes including PSA, which helps liquefy semen after ejaculation.
Clinical correlation
Transition-zone enlargement can narrow the urinary outlet, while prostate cancer may be asymptomatic. Pelvic venous connections offer a possible route for skeletal dissemination; the osteoblastic character of many metastases also depends on tumor–bone signalling.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the prostate located?
Below the bladder neck, behind the pubic symphysis and retropubic space, and anterior to the rectum; the urethral sphincter region continues below the apex.
What does the prostate do?
Produces fluid containing citrate, zinc and enzymes including PSA, which helps liquefy semen after ejaculation.
What are the parts of the prostate?
The parts of the prostate are the base, apex and surfaces contain peripheral, central and transition glandular zones and anterior fibromuscular stroma.
What is the blood supply of the prostate?
The prostate is supplied by the variable prostatic branches arise from internal iliac branches, often vesical, pudendal or rectal sources.